Don’t even bother trying to pigeonhole Ecca Vandal. The genre-bending independent artist unleashes a an energy on stage that could secure a spot on the periodic table. It’s a creative flurry of punches fusing hip-hop with punk, jazz, electronic and a rebel’s intensity. Rock with guts and glory.
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With the release earlier this year of LOOKING FOR PEOPLE TO UNFOLLOW (via Loma Vista Recordings), her second album, Ecca Vandal has clocked up the airmiles, notched several firsts, and brought that fire to new fans around the globe.
In April, a performance at Coachella, her first-ever performance at a major U.S. festival. Others have followed, including Lollapalooza. Then, in May, a U.S. TV debut with a performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live, where Ecca Vandal and her band ripped through “Cruising to Self Soothe,” lifted from that sophomore collection.
“It was trippy,” she says of her spot on Kimmel. “Still can’t really believe it but grateful for the opportunity and nice for ‘Cruising’ to have a moment like that.” Vandal gives a shout out to her live drummer Dan (Maio) and bass player/producer Richie (Buxton) “for always holding it down, being on this journey with me, and giving me the confidence to sing and scream my heart out.”
The summer run has “been a beautiful type of chaos,” and has included support spots with Deftones, Limp Bizkit, and slots at Roskilde, Rock am Ring and Pinkpop. “The energy is insane,” she tells Billboard. “Swear I have mind blowing moments everyday, trying new foods, finding new clothes. Just wish I could explore everywhere for longer.”
Based in Melbourne, Australia, and born in South Africa of Sri Lankan heritage, Ecca Vandal dropped her self-titled debut in 2017. With her long-percolating followup LP, plaudits came from Zane Lowe, and Spotify’s international editorial team, which anointed her as one of the streaming giant’s Artists To Watch 2026. Australia’s Triple J locked-in LOOKING FOR PEOPLE TO UNFOLLOW as its feature album of the week.
The journey continues with a run of festivals across the United Kingdom and Europe. Headline dates kick off Sept. 3 in Milan, Italy, then the show heads to the United States and Canada for a month from late September. A national tour of Australia follows in November.
How should audiences prepare for the Ecca Vandal experience? “Aside from the flashing lights,” she quips, “I’d say come as you are and be prepared to lose yourself for a little while. I’ll be bringing all my energy so bring yours too. I love when a show feels like a little world that only exists for us for that hour, with everyone just collectively losing it.”
UK/EU headlines:
Sept. 3 — Italy, Milan | Santeria Toscana 31
Sept. 5 — Germany, Munich | Strom
Sept. 7 — Germany, Cologne | Luxor
Sept. 8 — Belgium, Brussels | Ancienne Belgique
Sept. 10 — Netherlands, Amsterdam | Melkweg Oz
Sept. 12 — France, Paris | La Maroquinerie
Sept. 14 — UK, Manchester | Manchester Academy 3
Sept. 15 — UK, London | Village Underground
North America headlines:
Sept. 29 — Los Angeles, CA | Teragram Ballroom
Oct. 3 — San Francisco, CA | Rickshaw Stop
Oct. 6 — Seattle, WA | Barboza
Oct. 7 — Portland, OR | Holocene
Oct. 10 — Denver, CO | Globe Hall
Oct. 15 — Toronto, ON | Longboat Hall
Oct. 17 — New York, NY | Bowery Ballroom
Oct. 21 — Boston, MA | Brighton Music Hall
Oct. 22 — Washington, DC | The Atlantis
Oct. 24 — Atlanta, GA | The Masquerade (Purgatory)
