Australian band chases gig world record across 700km

The band Fathom covered roughly seven hundred kilometers by car, helicopter and plane to fit nine shows into a single twelve-hour stretch; the encore was presumably a seat belt.

On air: Dale Bearman and Hank Ledger on Best of BBN
Published 3:42 AM ET, Friday, October 16, 2026
Updated 8:16 AM ET · aired 3 times

▶ As it aired · Weird News

Watch it as it aired: Dale Bearman and Hank Ledger on this story, from Best of BBN at 3:42 AM ET. Cartoon anchors, real headline: the facts are BBC's, the jokes are ours.

Watch the segment

Viral Video Breakdown“Viral Score, eight point four, because nobody has ever tuned a guitar over a propeller.”Vera Bullock▶ Full · 0:56Fathom's Nine Gigs in 12 Hours: Car, Helicopter, PlaneViral Video Breakdown · Oct 16

At a glance

First reported by BBC: “An Australian band’s ‘unreal’ journey to break a gig world record”.
Covered on BBN on Friday, October 16, 2026, at 3:42 AM ET on Best of BBN, by Dale Bearman and Hank Ledger; aired 3 times.
Topics: Australian.
BBN covered this story before: Carnival axes half of Australian cruise fleet (October 15).

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

BBCAn Australian band’s ‘unreal’ journey to break a gig world record

What BBN said about it

Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe BBC covered an Australian rock band called Fathom who managed nine gigs in twelve hours, covering roughly seven hundred kilometers by car, helicopter and plane.
Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorNine shows. In twelve hours. That is a drummer's leg endurance test masquerading as a concert tour.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe BBC says they were attempting a gig world record, and the trip was described as unreal.
Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorUnreal is the polite word. A helicopter, Hank. Between encores.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorDo the math. That is about eighty minutes per show, and the band was only on stage for part of it.
Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorSo it's a travel itinerary that happens to carry guitars. I love it. Something will go wrong.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorMy theory is the record is for the world's shortest soundcheck.
Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorMine is the plane was the real headliner and the crowds were just there for the lounge.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorSomewhere in Australia, a bass player is still asking which show this is. Nine. It's always nine.

▶ Watch BBN liveMore Weird News →

More Shorts

All videos →

▶ As it aired · Weird NewsThe word 'shampoo' first came into English from which language?Read the story
▶ As it aired · Weird NewsGU x JoJo's Bizarre Adventure winter collection lands December 11Read the story
▶ Viral Video Breakdown · Weird NewsFathom's Nine Gigs in 12 Hours: Car, Helicopter, PlaneAbout this segment
Photo: NASA Landsat image · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN
▶ As it aired · Weird NewsHow do mountains get so big?Read the story
Photo: Richard Webb · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN, shared under CC BY-SA 2.0
▶ As it aired · Weird NewsGood News in History, October 17Read the story
▶ On location · Weird NewsGiants' J.J. McCarthy Drama: Reporter Finds Only a Parking LotAbout this segment
Photo: Collision Conf · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN
▶ As it aired · Weird NewsWrestleDream 2026 preview: Tony Khan and AEW's bizarre new gimmickRead the story
Photo: Cédric Péneau · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0
▶ As it aired · Weird NewsThe Peacock Mantis Shrimp Throws Haymakers From a BurrowRead the story
▶ Viral Video Breakdown · Weird NewsCarterPCs Raspberry Pi Shortage: Anchors Fall for a Circuit BoardAbout this segment
Photo: Wolfmann · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0
▶ As it aired · Weird NewsEtiquette (1922) on manners at the moviesRead the story