Monáe, Kimbra Team Up Downunder

Janelle Monáe and New Zealand-born Kimbra are teaming up for four stadium shows May 16-26.

The Golden Electric tour is through Live Nation.

Photo: Owen Sweeney / Invision / AP
Electric Factory, Philadelphia, Pa.

Monáe’s 2013 album The Electric Lady reached No. 6 in the U.S. while Kimbra’s debut album Vows debuted at No. 14. In 2012 Kimbra was featured in Gotye’s global chart topper “Somebody That I Used To Know.”

Monáe and Kimbra bonded after playing last July’s Montreaux Jazz Festival and found themselves to be both fans of Prince.

They recorded a track called “Rocksteady,” a mash-up cover of the Aretha Franklin number of the same name and Michael Jackson’s “Wanna Be Startin’ Something.”

In other news, Life is Noise has U.S. band Earth in four clubs June 17-21.

Metropolis Touring and Tombowler bring Gary Numan back on his Splinter run, which takes in six theatres May 23-31.

Arizona-hailed The Supersuckers will do five club dates June 19-25 for Nightmare Music and 123 Agency.

Vanguard Touring teamed Wisconsin heavy metal band Misery Signals and Aussie techcore act Stories for a May 8-19 run. The nine dates take in clubs, YMCAs and festivals.