ZIGGY ALBERTS BIO
November 2024
Ziggy Alberts is no stranger to success, having built a dedicated global following through a combination of steadfast touring,
captivating songwriting, and an independent ethos that has seen him thrive without the backing of a major label. An artist
who has mastered the acoustic charm of busking and intimate venues to the electrifying energy of sold-out world stages –
all as a solo act – Alberts is now entering a new phase of his artistic journey with his seventh studio album, ‘New Love’, set
for release in February 2025.
From his early days busking on the streets of Australia’s Byron Bay, Alberts has always understood the power of direct
connection with his audience. His rise has been driven not only by his emotionally resonant folk songs but by his
determination to bring his music to fans face-to-face. Now a decade into his career, he has grown his fanbase the oldfashioned way: by playing show after show, year after year, turning small rooms into sold-out venues across the globe.
His touring record is as impressive as it is diverse. In 2024, as part of his 70-date New Love World Tour, he delivered
standout performances, including massive headline sets at Bluesfest Byron Bay and a co-headline SummerSalt run across
Australia’s east coast with Matt Corby and James Bay. The world tour has taken him across his homeland, Europe, the UK,
North America, and Indonesia, with debut shows planned for Mexico and Japan. Among the tour highlights are his biggest
German shows, drawing over 3,500 attendees in Hamburg and Munich. He also achieved sold-out shows in Vienna, and
both Amsterdam and Mexico City twice over. This remarkable run follows his prolific 2023 Rewind World Tour, where he
performed for over 110,000 people at his headline shows, sold out London’s Eventim Apollo, completed a packed-out
capital city tour in Australia, and made his debut in Brazil, playing to a crowd of 15,000 people at the Floripa Eco Festival.
Alberts’ audience isn’t just global – it’s fiercely loyal, built on the back of his tireless work ethic and unfiltered authenticity.
His brand of acoustic, sun-soaked folk has struck a chord with listeners worldwide, combining deeply personal storytelling
with universally relatable themes of love, self-discovery, and freedom. Alberts’ resume speaks for itself: his discography
has garnered over 1 billion streams, with hits like “Runaway,” “Gone,” and “Love Me Now” racking up millions of listens –
“Runaway” surpassing 100 million streams on Spotify alone. His discography has garnered over a billion streams, with hits
like “Runaway” and “Love Me Now” earning millions of listens, while as of October 2024 his singles ‘Laps Around The Sun’
and “Runaway” achieved ARIA Triple Platinum status. Fan favourites like ‘Days In The Sun’ and ‘Gone’ and his EP ‘Four Feet In The Forest’ have also now received Double Platinum status; ‘Hands I Can Hold’ and ‘Together’ reaching Platinum status
and another seven tracks plus his ‘Land & Sea’ album reaching Gold status (‘Don’t Get Caught Up’, ‘Heartbeat’, ‘Letting Go’, ‘On Hold’, ‘Start Over’, ‘Together (Instrumental)’, and ‘Worn Out’). Alberts has also won two APRA Music Awards for Most
Performed Blues and Roots Work in 2022 and 2024, solidifying his impact on the Australian music scene.
What’s even more impressive is that he’s done it all without major label backing. Instead, his commitment to independence
led him to establish Commonfolk Records, his own label, which has allowed him to maintain creative control and grow his
career on his own terms. This DIY approach has not only empowered him to take risks that paid off but also made him a
beacon for artists seeking to forge their own path outside the traditional industry mould.
Alberts is now on the verge of releasing his most ambitious project yet: ‘New Love’. Born from the road and made for live
performance, the album emphasises his commitment to how his audience will experience the music. Written during his
Rewind World Tour and completed in the Northern Rivers, NSW, the album captures a sense of spontaneity and
authenticity, shaped by his habit of road-testing songs during soundchecks – a practice dating back to his early busking
days. Co-produced with longtime collaborator Garrett Kato, ‘New Love’ builds on the journey that began with his 2018
album ‘Laps Around The Sun’. The new album’s artwork, lyrics, and production echo elements from its predecessor,
marking it – as Ziggy explains it – as a “spiritual follow-up to ‘Laps Around The Sun’.”
For Alberts, ‘New Love’ is a return to simplicity – a reflection of his own personal growth over the years. It explores themes
of second chances, choosing joy, and navigating the complexities of modern life, but always with an underlying message
of adventure and magic. The first singles from the record, “New Love,” “Outlaw,” and “Where Does The Love Go?”, reveal
this connection, blending personal reflection with universal emotions, while the acoustic folk sound and enchanting
melodies give space for the stories to breathe.
The album’s structure, split between a warm, folk-inspired Side A and a more expansive, rock-and-country-influenced Side
B, mirrors the duality of life. Side A represents the light, or North, with songs that feel familiar and intimate; while Side B
ventures into darker tones and broader instrumentation, representing the South. It’s this balance that makes ‘New Love’
feel cohesive, giving the album a sense of being made to be listened to in its entirety, much like the records that inspired
Alberts early on in his career.
Alberts and Kato embraced an organic, minimalist production approach, finishing the album in just four weeks while
resisting the urge to overproduce. This approach preserved the raw emotion of each track, allowing the magic of
imperfections to shine through. With ‘New Love’, Ziggy continues to build on the foundation laid by ‘Laps Around The Sun’,
offering a new chapter that invites listeners on a journey of honesty, simplicity, and self-discovery – both through the record
and the live performances which bring it to life.
The latest single from the record, “Where Does The Love Go?”, offers a glimpse into the emotional heart of ‘New Love’ and
the lightness of Side A. Rooted in traditional acoustic folk, the track highlights Ziggy’s soulful voice as it explores the nuances
of love and connection. Reflecting on the song’s creation, Alberts notes that it was inspired by carefree days and
lighthearted moments during recording sessions with Kato. The track’s introspective lyrics ask the poignant question:
“Where does the love go, when it’s not us?” as well as explores the juxtaposition of being removed enough to see a problem
and being implicated in it oneself.
The release of ‘New Love’ and the ongoing New Love World Tour showcases Alberts at a peak of his powers as a seasoned
performer who has mastered the art of connecting with his audience. His determined touring schedule has not only
expanded his global reach but has created a fanbase that feels deeply connected to his music and his message. His live
shows have become more than just performances – they are shared experiences where fans from different countries and
cultures come together, united by his music.
Ziggy Alberts is a seasoned artist with a devoted international fanbase and an impressive catalogue of hits. His upcoming
album, ‘New Love’, promises to be his most ambitious project yet, and his drive to connect with fans across continents
makes it clear: Ziggy Alberts isn’t just an artist you should know – he’s the artist you need to know.