Macklemore, Steel Panther Head Downunder

Australia’s winter schedule has started to warm up already. Live Nation announced Macklemore & Ryan Lewis for five arena shows Aug. 2-11, teaming them up with Australian hip hop duo Thundamentals.

Photo: Jen Lowery Photography

"KIIS FM Jingle Ball," Staples Center, Los Angeles, Calif.

The winter run will be the U.S. duo’s biggest here, after its “Downtown” single topped the Australian Recording Industry Association official chart.

MJR Presents has Steel Panther back, promoting the Live Acoustic album and “Live From Lexxi’s Mom’s Garage” film. The U.S. metal band, which was last downunder as part of the Soundwave 2014 festival, will tackle five Australian theatres and clubs June 17-23, with a show at Auckland’s Powerstation June 26.

John Mellencamp, whose Plain Spoken Tour in February 2016 for Dainty Group was postponed to June, has axed those dates as well. He was to play seven arenas June 14-28. No reason was given for the latest cancellation.

Powerstation, which postponed an early 2016 visit due to a family health emergency, rescheduled for the southern spring. Metropolis and Select Touring now has the band at five theatres Oct. 6-15.