It’s been several years since they last played but the energetic ska jazz band are coming to back Wollongong, touring with Xavier Rudd and friends and will take to the grass of Stuart Park on February 12 for an all ages show.

“I remember we played at this place called the [Yallah] Woolshed maybe a decade ago,” Angus said.

“To be honest, it wasn’t actually a fond memory because I remember at the end of the night people started breaking down the walls of the band rooms, trying to get into the band rooms.

“It was exactly like being in one of those zombie movies … except it was our fans.”

Since their inception in 1999 the band, largely known for the hit “Hello, Hello”, has toured Australia and the globe extensively and are incredibly popular in Europe – especially Spain.

The group has only recently returned from an overseas tour spanning well over 12 months, though Angus said the hard slog on the road kept the vibe really “fun”.

“Like when you go to see a threatre production on the last night and everyone kind of plays little jokes on each other and stuff, the whole tour was kind of like that,” he said.

“Some of the guys in my band are very musically literate.

“They know everything, they know all songs from the ‘80s and ‘70s and all the bands and all the riffs, they just kind of throw them about to each other like a musical game of trivial pursuit.”

The current Australia tour has a number of all ages gigs, including the North Wollongong date, which Angus is excited to play because it’s a rare treat.

“Honestly we don’t get to do it that often,” he said.

“A lot of bars don’t want to do all ages, a lot of festivals can’t do all ages, it’s all to do with [liquor] licencing.

“When you do get to do them they’re a palpable list in energy from the crowd. All ages shows are the best, people really bring it. We are a particularly an all ages band, not just teenagers, but people bring their kids, people bring their grandparents.” 

Xavier Rudd and The Cat Empire play at Stuart Park, February 12. Tickets available through http://www.zaccariaconcerts.com.au 

Gates open 2pm

Sahara Beck: 3pm

Ocean Alley: 3.50pm

Harts: 4.55pm

Xavier Rudd: 6.10pm

The Cat Empire: 7.55pm