Respected American musician, producer, educator and YouTube phenomenon Rick Beato will bring his acclaimed live show to Australia and New Zealand for the first time this October, giving fans a rare opportunity to experience the man behind the hugely successful Everything Music channel in person.
Speaking with Australian Musician editor Greg Phillips ahead of the tour, Beato expressed his excitement about finally making the trip Down Under after decades of hearing about Australia from friends and colleagues. “I’m 64 years old, Greg, and I’m finally coming to Australia,” he said. “I’ve had friends from Australia forever, and one of my best friends lives in Sydney. I can’t wait to see Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane in person.”
Check out our interview with Rick Beato below
MORE ABOUT THE INTERVIEW AND AUSTRALIAN TOUR
Best known for his insightful song analyses, artist interviews and music industry commentary, Beato has built a global audience of more than 5.5 million YouTube subscribers. His live show expands on many of the themes that have made his channel so popular, combining storytelling, musical analysis and audience interaction.
The live performance is divided into three sections. Beato first reflects on his own remarkable career as a musician, producer, songwriter, educator and content creator. He then presents a live version of his celebrated What Makes This Song Great? series, dissecting the songwriting, arrangement and production techniques behind classic recordings. The show concludes with an extensive audience Q&A session, which Beato says has become one of his favourite parts of the evening.
“That’s the most fun,” he explained. “I get a chance to talk to people I’d never meet otherwise. You never know what questions you’re going to get, and some of them are incredibly interesting.”
Having recently completed sold-out North American dates and previously toured Europe, Beato says the audience interaction has become a highlight of the show. Unlike creating videos in his studio, the live format allows him to see reactions in real time and engage directly with fellow music enthusiasts.
Discussing the enduring appeal of great songs, Beato believes the common thread among classics is the emotional connection created by melody and arrangement. Whether it’s Pink Floyd’s “Comfortably Numb,” The Beatles’ “Let It Be,” Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” or even Beethoven’s Sixth Symphony, he says great music creates a feeling listeners want to experience again and again.
During the interview, Beato also reflected on the evolution of his YouTube channel, admitting he occasionally enjoys stirring debate among viewers. With an audience spanning generations, he sees value in differing perspectives on music, while acknowledging that younger listeners often challenge the views of older fans who believe music was better in previous eras.
The conversation also touched on wider industry issues, including copyright challenges for music creators on YouTube and the changing role of trade events such as NAMM. While he believes the show remains a valuable networking opportunity, he noted that major manufacturers need to return in greater numbers to maintain its industry relevance.
Asked how he would encourage young people immersed in TikTok, AI-generated content and instant gratification to pick up an instrument, Beato admitted there are no easy answers. Learning music, he said, requires patience and commitment, qualities that can be difficult to foster in a world built around immediate rewards.
Australian music also holds a special place in Beato’s career. He recalled that the first major label album he produced was for Brisbane-born singer Michael Johns, the Australian Idol finalist who later found success in the United States before his untimely passing in 2014. Johns had often encouraged Beato to visit Australia, making this upcoming trip particularly meaningful.
For fans attending the October shows, Beato promises a night of stories from the studio, deep dives into iconic songs and the chance to ask questions directly to one of music’s most respected educators and commentators.
RICK BEATO
AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND TOUR
OCTOBER 2026
Presented by Frontier Touring
FRONTIER MEMBER PRESALE
Via frontiertouring.com/rickbeato
Runs 72 hours from: Friday 12 June, 1pm (local time)
or until presale allocation exhausted
TICKETS ON SALE
Begins: Monday 15 June, 2pm (local time)
SATURDAY 24 OCTOBER
SkyCity Theatre | Auckland NZ (Lic. All Ages)
ticketmaster.co.nz
THURSDAY 29 OCTOBER
Enmore Theatre | Sydney NSW (Lic. All Ages)
**VENUE UPGRADED – NEW TICKETS ON SALE 5PM AEST, MONDAY 22 JUNE**
ticketek.com.au
FRIDAY 30 OCTOBER
Thornbury Theatre | Melbourne VIC (18+)
moshtix.com.au
SATURDAY 31 OCTOBER
Princess Theatre | Brisbane QLD (Lic. All Ages)
ticketmaster.com.au
Presented by Frontier Touring, the tour marks Beato’s long-awaited debut in Australia and New Zealand and is expected to attract musicians, producers and music fans eager to hear his unique insights live on stage.
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