Marty Sheargold returns to stand-up with The Red Card Show tour

Marty Sheargold, the 54-year-old former Triple M radio host, has announced a return to stand-up, launching an Australian tour called The Red Card Show after parting ways with the network earlier this year over comments about the Matildas. The tour opens at Melbourne's Palais Theatre on March 28, 2026, according to the venue and the show's social channels.

The tour schedule includes a December Geelong date, followed by Warnambool and Bendigo in February, with a slew of gigs in Sydney, Noosa, and Perth. The Palais' website and Instagram page corroborate the Melbourne date, marking a full return to live performance for Sheargold after an extended hiatus from radio.

"As much as I've been trying to embrace early retirement – I'm bored sh*tless so I'm going to be the 54-year-old man that I am," Sheargold said in the tour announcement. "Fun, sexy, charming and humble. Let's share moments and memories from my life." The tour, dubbed The Red Card Show, will bring his unfiltered perspective to audiences across Australia, including stops in Melbourne, Geelong, Warrnambool, Bendigo and other major cities.

The move comes after Sheargold was removed from Triple M earlier this year following backlash over sexist remarks about the Matildas, Australia’s women’s national soccer team. The comments were made on The Marty Sheargold Show hours after the Matildas were defeated 2-1 by the United States at the SheBelieves Cup. In the broadcast, fellow host Troy Ellis introduced the topic, and Sheargold offered a controversial assessment.

"There's something wrong with the Matildas," he said, adding a provocative comparison to Year 10 girls and discussing infighting within the team. He then added, "you know what they remind me of? Year 10 girls... All the infighting and all the friendship issues, 'the coach hates me and I hate bloody training, and Michelle's being a b***h'." The remarks sparked significant backlash and led to his departure from Southern Cross Austereo.

Southern Cross Austereo said the decision to part ways was mutual and tied to the network’s standards and audience expectations. In a statement, the company’s chief content officer Dave Cameron said the move was intended to reflect and review the situation, with Triple M and the wider SCA network continuing to support staff and make necessary adjustments. A new Drive show would be announced in due course, and the network acknowledged Marty's contribution over the past four years while wishing him well for the future.

Sheargold issued a statement on his exit apologizing to the Matildas and the broader organisation, saying, "Having mutually agreed to part ways with the Triple M Network, I fully understand the gravity of my comments. I'd like to sincerely apologise to the Matildas and the broader organisation. I would also like to thank my immediate team for their hard work and apologise for the situation they now find themselves in." He reiterated his intent to focus on live performance, saying the tour would feature his life stories, humor about modern life, and observations on middle-age life. In announcing the tour, he noted that the plan is to bring his voice back to audiences, starting with Melbourne and expanding to other cities across the country.