King Stingray has officially announced the departure of its lead vocalist, Yirrŋa Yunupiŋu, just days before embarking on their much-anticipated national tour, For The Dreams. This announcement was made through the band’s social media channels on March 19, confirming that Yunupiŋu, a co-founding member, will no longer be part of the group.

New Vocalist Joins the Band

In light of this change, the band has introduced Ngalakan Wanambi, who has previously performed with King Stingray during their recent tour in the U.S. Fans can expect Wanambi to bring his energy and talent to the forefront of the band’s performances.

“Hey everyone, we’ve got some news to share – King Stingray and Yirrŋa have parted ways. To keep the fire burning, we’re stoked to introduce the deadly Ngalakan Wanambi stepping up on vocals,” the band announced. “He absolutely smashed it with us on our recent U.S. tour, and as always, our main man, Dima Burarrwanga, will be bringing the energy as he always does.”

A Brief History of King Stingray

Founded in Yirrkala, a remote community in Arnhem Land, King Stingray quickly gained recognition for their unique blend of Yolŋu rock, merging Indigenous musical elements with surf-rock and alternative styles. The band, co-founded by Yunupiŋu and guitarist Roy Kellaway, the son of the late Yothu Yindi bassist Stuart Kellaway, released their self-titled debut album in 2022.

Following this, they launched their album For The Dreams in November 2024 and have since made significant strides in Australia’s contemporary music scene, earning critical acclaim and several awards, including an ARIA for Best Independent Release.

Upcoming National Tour Details

The For The Dreams national tour is set to kick off on March 21 at the Hordern Pavilion in Sydney, with additional performances scheduled in Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne, and Fremantle. King Stingray will be joined by special guests Beddy Rays and The Belair Lip Bombs on select dates.

Continuity Amid Change

Despite the change in lineup, the band is committed to providing the same spirited experience that fans have come to expect from King Stingray. They reassured fans that the energy and passion will remain unchanged, stating, “This For The Dreams tour is gonna be something really special – same King Stingray spirit, same unstoppable Yolŋu rock and a whole lotta love.”