The Rider with Becko and The Human League

The Human League return to Australia in 2027 - the first since their sellout a few years ago. This is a greatest hits tour and it will be something special to see Phil, Joanne and Susan back playing some iconic venues. In this chat, Phil explains how they somehow made it through the 90s and the 'grunge' era - the most difficult time for any 80s synth indy band to be once again going through a sweet spot! This is Phil Oakey from The Human League, on The Rider with Becko.

20 years ago one of the great Aussie albums was released, "Suburban Songbook" by Bob Evans.Suburban Songbook remains a critical and commercial success story two decades beyond its release. Fittingly in 2026, Bob Evans will head out on the road for the 20th Anniversary of Suburban Songbook, set to perform the record in its entirety with full band this September and October, along with a special 20th Anniversary Edition of Suburban Songbook available digitally and on vinyl on September 4.It's always great to catch up with Kevin and have conversations on Perth's music scene and how did he ask the rest of Jebediah how they felt if he worked on something else for a bit. This is The Rider with Becko and Bob Evans.

Alexander Gow has released a brilliant new album, 'Bodyline'.Best known as the frontman of Oh Mercy, Gow reflects on the evolution of his craft—from ARIA-winning records to striking out on his own—and unpacks the stories behind an album that embraces intimacy, restraint and lyrical precision. Along the way, we talk about creativity beyond commercial success, balancing music with journalism, and what keeps him writing after nearly two decades of Australian music.A natural progression from 2023’s Dizzy Spell, Bodyline tradeslo-fi minimalism for something richer and more playful. Still grounded in Gow’s unmistakable songwriting voice, the album expands its palette through layered arrangements and analogue warmth, recorded to quarter-inch tape with an openness to experimentation.“Bodyline is the latest effort in my ongoing pursuit of enduring, horny songwriting -  full of pathos and personal exploration,” Gow says. “Writing songs is the thing I am best at; it brings me joy, meaning, and context in a life that is largely fulfilling, yet often chaotic and confusing.”Stream it now... it's brilliant. This is The Rider with Becko and Alexander Gow.

Music has a unique way of transcending time, and for Mark Holden, this has been a defining theme throughout his illustrious career. From his rise to fame in the 1970s to his recent resurgence in the music scene, Holden's journey is both inspiring and enlightening. Mark Holden’s career took off in the 1970s, a decade that shaped his identity as an entertainer. He reflects on how he became a household name during this era, particularly due to his appearances on television shows. Then there was the Idol era - numerous stars were discovered and can owe their careers to Holden and Australian Idol. Mark has a busy 2026 with a number of albums released and will continue to create new music despite the setbacks. This is Mark Holden, on The Rider with Becko.

Meg Mac burst onto the scene as a Triple J Unearthed feature artist and a debut EP that got her airplay across the country. "Never Be" and "Low Blows" are now aussie classics and she then made a name for herself as part of numerous festival tours on Falls and Spilt Milk and the USA circuit. Her Triple J 'Like a Version' appearances have all been highlights but her cover of Tame Impala's "Let it Happen" has been widely credited as one of the best moments of the JJJ segment.Her 4th album is about to arrive, "It's My Party" on 20th Feb and we have already heard a taste with 4 singles released. Her theatre tour is also about to begin, so check her out this Feb and March!This is Meg Mac on The Rider with Becko.

The legendary Tea Party are coming back to once again play some huge venues around Australia.This time around, the tour will also include two amazing symphony shows - one in Melbourne and one at the Sydney Opera House. It's always a pleasure to catch up with Tea Party frontman, Jeff Martin. This episode we'll also catch up with Nick Mulvey who is about to kick off his second Australian tour - he has a lot of talent and some great stories. His new album is "Dark Harvest Pt II"This is The Rider with Becko with the Tea Party and Nick Mulvey.

Rob Hirst, much loved and will be missed dearly.

Paul Kelly is an Australian music icon. His 30th album is out now, "Seventy" which feels like part 2 of "Fever Longing Still." (Because it is)His songwriting feels effortless, but it's a natural skill that many of us would dream of. Paul has had a massive year, sold-out arena shows, back to back albums and the Red Hot Summer Tour in 2026.‘Seventy' traces its inspiration to Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales and Boccaccio's Decameron, where disparate souls come together to swap yarns and keep the darkness away. “Telling stories is deeply human and has been since we started to become humans,” says Kelly.'Seventy' comes with the song 'Rita Wrote a Letter' - Part 2 of 'How to Make Gravy'. In this interview, Paul reflects how this song has been on the shelf for a little while - but for one big reason. The release of 'Seventy' comes as Kelly rides a wave of unprecedented demand, having recently sold out his extensive arena tour across the country. The tour reinforced his position as Australia's unofficial poet laureate, with Rolling Stone declaring: "He is one of the grand masters of songwriting and our unofficial poet laureate. This year he turned 70, and long may he run." The Age reflected on his enduring cultural impact: "He's forever connecting us back to memory, to place, to home. Kelly's set got me thinking about how he's baked into our national consciousness and perhaps played a part in forming it.”This is The Rider with Becko, and Paul Kelly.

You might remember where you were when the Hottest 100 of 2006 was announced, and for the first time in ages it was a winner you couldn't argue against. "One Crowded Hour" was the standout song of the year, a masterpiece.Augie March were on a slow build, up until then. They had setbacks and tragedy that we'll tackle in this episode. 2006 was a year they will never forget. Catch Augie March on tour in April as they celebrate 20 years of "Moo, You Bloody Choir,"This is The Rider with Becko, and Glenn from Augie March.

The story of Murray Cook's 'sliding doors' moment is one for the ages - if he didn't go to uni and meet Anthony and Greg, there would be no Wiggles and no amazing music as part of the Soul Movers.Over time the Soul Movers have changed and broadened their style with Lizzie Mac on vocals - so the name change to 'Murray and The Movers' opens the door to a more rocky edge.Check out Murray and The Movers on tour this Summer and the new song "If I'm With You".This is The Rider with Becko and Murray Cook.