Molchat Doma | The Forum
Molchat Doma have a very distinct sound and emanate an energy you can’t get from any band in the West. Their album covers feature famous brutalist buildings like the Hotel Panorama in Slovakia and the Pyongyang Hotel, and there is no better parallel to their sound.
High Vis | Bendigo Hotel
They’re an interesting blend of hardcore punk and indie rock, transitioning between moods with tact while maintaining momentum throughout a boisterous set. Heavy punk songs are balanced with stripped-back indie choruses, and whenever things get too dark, they lighten them again. An Aristotelian set by a disciplined, intentional band.
Architects | Festival Hall
Between a strong support lineup and a band clearly grateful to be back on local stages, the night set a solid tone for the rest of the tour. If this first show is anything to go by, Architects’ relationship with Australian crowds remains as strong as ever, and it will be interesting to see how the rest of the run unfolds.
Nessa Barrett | Margaret Court Arena
Nessa Barrett knows what she's doing. She's a stellar vocalist, she's supported by a very talented backing band who serve her songs perfectly, and it's clear we're only just seeing the beginning of what will likely be a very strong and eventful career for her.
Good Things | Flemington Racecourse
Nostalgia, new blood, broken schedules and sweaty crowd, it all melted together into something unpredictable, alive and unmistakably memorable.
Fever 333 | Stay Gold
The energy both artists brought to the stage was nothing short of biblical, and on a small stage like that they still managed to use every inch of it to their advantage. Nights like this remind you why live music matters.
GWAR | Max Watts
Bodies surfed overhead, the pit kept mutating into new shapes and the front row screamed every line like it was gospel as fake blood dripped off their skin alongside the sweat. GWAR fed off of it, doubling down with their thrashing riffs and gore soaked vocals, it all merged into one visceral spectacle.
Scene Queen | Sooki Lounge
I adore her brutality, her femininity, and her unapologetic misandry. She is everything the metal scene is missing right now, and through her lyricism and performances she threatens the fragile masculinity embedded in the genre.
Sombr | Festival Hall
Lucky fans across Australia have lots of exciting things coming their way with Dust and Sombr, and many across the world as well with so many shows over the next 6 months it’s would not something you’d want to be missing.
Night Lovell | Northcote Theatre
Each artist carved out their moment, stacking energy on top of energy until Night Lovell closed the night with a performance that felt both heavy and cinematic. No matter where you stood in the venue, you could feel the pulse of the crowd, the low-end shaking the floor, and the collective rush of everyone locked into the same moment.
Evanescence | PICA Melbourne
As the lights came up and people began to leave, something lingered in the air. A warmth that was hard to describe. Seeing Evanescence in a venue like PICA felt almost sacred, a reminder of why music stays with us long after the final note fades. It bridges generations, connects strangers, and fills a room with something that words can never fully capture.
James Blunt | Rod Laver Arena
What could have been a simple anniversary show became something far more personal. James Blunt’s performance at Rod Laver Arena was a reminder that honest music never loses its power to bring people together.
I See Stars | The Crowbar Review
Even with a jam packed setlist, we got more of an insight into the beginning of I See Stars, with how they first formed when Devin was just 11 years old and how money was not why they did this but for following their dreams and continuing to do what they love.
IC3PEAK | 170 RUSSELL
It warms me that even though the world outside, surrounding us and impeding on all my peers, in a tiny basement room like this, some strings and softly spoken words can be a respite. It’s safe to say that “Coming Home” has been on repeat in my earphones ever since that night.
Royel Otis | Margaret Court Arena
Royel Maddell and Otis Pavlovic, who make up the duo, are joined on stage by drummer Tim Commandeur, whose stage presence is incredible, expressive, energetic, and constantly engaging the crowd. Keyboardist Tim Ayre fills out the four-piece lineup, which boldly performs without a bassist.
Bullet For My Valentine | John Cain Arena
Walking out of John Cain Arena, it really hit me how special the night was. The Poison shaped an entire generation of heavy music fans, and hearing it played in full twenty years later felt like a celebration of everything Bullet For My Valentine have built.
Imminence | The Forum
What sets Imminence apart is that they’re not just a Metalcore band with a violin thrown in. The violin is the heart of their sound, the storm at the centre of the chaos.
Eddie Current Supression Ring | Fed Square
A gig that felt like a definitive re-debut for a classic Melbourne band who have been sorely missed, and appear to have lost nothing of what brought them their former glory.
Wunderhorse | The Forum
For a crowd of mostly 20-somethings who had been waiting almost a year, Wunderhorse rewarded every ounce of anticipation. They capture both the loneliness and the hope of youth, and make you feel less alone in the process.
The Wombats | Festival Hall
Tight, confident and consistently hilarious, The Wombats once again proved why they remain one of indie-pop’s most beloved live acts: masters of turning music, comedy and chaos into an unforgettable night.