Shackleton

It was a band formed for the sheer love of playing. A chance to regularly work their way through a fascinating set of covers without the pressure of their more serious career ventures. Formed by Mick Thomas, Anna Burley (Killjoys) and Liz Stringer, Shackleton3 was a holiday band – and a damn good one. Something to keep their hand in when not touring in their own respective right. They played the pubs of the inner north of Melbourne and were the perfect soundtrack for dreamy winter Sunday evenings. Open fires, red wine and dark beer were their companions as a dedicated following shared the intimate spaces. Football would be finished for the round and thoughts of the working week were expertly held at bay as the glorious harmonies swirled around the commanding vocals of Anna Burley. When Liz Stringer departed to live in the northern hemisphere the band played on a for another year with a revolving lineup but ultimately other projects took precedence and the band stopped playing – leaving behind one single album Just Turning Pages as testament to some nonchalantly magical performances. But a good idea and a good concept will only remain dormant for so long and an impromptu two song reunion at the wake for an inner Melbourne punter stalwart got Mick and Anna thinking it’s time to revive the very idea if the band. Enter Olivia Bolmat from indi folk new-troubadours Norwood to complete the lineup and Shackleton3 2026 is set to go. The only question now is what are you doing Sunday?