King Stingray lead vocalist Yirrŋa Yunupiŋu Departs Band
The band have announced a new singer who will join them on tour.
Image by Maclay Heriot
King Stingray and lead vocalist Yirrŋa Yunupiŋu have parted ways ahead of the band’s For the Dreams Australian tour.
Announcing the surprising news on social media last night (March 19), the self-described “Yolŋu surf rock” collective revealed that Yirrŋa Yunupiŋu has left the band.
“Hey everyone we’ve got some news to share - King Stingray and Yirrnga have parted ways,” the band said in a statement. “To keep the fire burning we’re stoked to introduce the deadly Ngalakan Wanambi stepping up on vocals. He absolutely smashed it with us on our recent US tour and as always our main man Dima Burarrwanga will be bringing the energy as he always does.
“This For The Dreams tour is gonna be something really special - same King Stingray spirit, same unstoppable Yolngu rock and a whole lotta love. Can’t wait to see you all out there.”
The news has come out of the blue, with Yirrŋa Yunupiŋu, along with guitarist Roy Kellaway, the two founding members of the band. They were joined by guitarist player Dimathaya Burarrwanga and bassist Campbell Messer in 2020, with drummer Lewis Stiles joining in 2021. The recent addition of didgeridoo player Yimila Gurruwiwi rounded out the band.
Yunupiŋu was involved in the recording of both King Stingray albums: the ARIA-winning self-titled debut and the 2024 follow-up, For the Dreams.
But as they say, “the show must go on,” with Ngalakan Wanambi taking over vocal duties on the eve of King Stingray’s much-anticipated national tour.
Joined on the road by good mates Beddy Rays and The Belair Lip Bombs, the For the Dreams tour kicks off at Hordern Pavilion on Gadigal Land/Sydney on Friday, March 21 and then hits Fortitude Music Hall on Turrbal Land/Brisbane (Saturday, March 22), Hindley Street Music Hall on Kaurna Land/Adelaide (Friday, March 28) and the Forum in Naarm/Melbourne (Saturday, March 29), with a final gig at Freo Arts Centre on Whadjuk Noongar Land/Fremantle on Friday, April 4.
Tickets are on sale now via Handsome Tours.
Catch King Stingray at Hindley Street Music Hall on Friday, March 28. Tickets on sale now via the Handsome Tours website.
King Stingray 2025 Australian Tour Dates
Friday, March 21 – Hordern Pavilion, Gadigal Land/Sydney
Saturday, March 22 – Fortitude Music Hall, Turrbal Land/Brisbane
Friday, March 28 – Hindley Street Music Hall, Kaurna Land/Adelaide
Saturday, March 29 – Forum, Naarm/Melbourne
Friday, April 4 – Freo Arts Centre, Whadjuk Noongar Land/Fremantle
