Motionless In White | Margaret Court Arena | Melbourne | 24th June
Honestly, I have no notes. This has to be one of the best shows I have ever experienced, and every single band and moment during this night was a pure 10/10. However, one thing’s for certain: Everyone needs to see a Motionless in White show at least once in their life.
I Prevail | John Cain Arena | Melbourne | 18th June
Having listened to them since their debut album Lifelines, it is always a pleasure to see I Prevail constantly growing. Watching them seamlessly step up to command a room of this magnitude just proves exactly why they earned the headlining slot.
Poison The Well | 170 Russell | Melbourne | 11th June
I think the best way to describe their music is as an unrelenting wave of sound. Poison the Well is both the immovable object and the unstoppable force, and watching them perform, I could understand how they have such incredible staying power within the hardcore community.
Georgia Maq “Surprise Show” | The Old Bar | Melbourne | 10th June
The progression of her songwriting in LA is promising. I hope that a new chapter in her musical career is coming, and that she can once again find a band that can complement her exceptional, eccentric talents as a songwriter and performer, and I hope that it will happen back here in Melbourne.
Balu Brigada | 170 Russell | Melbourne | 4th June
After more than 12 years of making music together, the brothers have clearly found their lane: songs for cars, crushes, clubs, daydreams and late-night overthinking. At 170 Russell, they made every one of them feel alive.
Quadeca | 170 Russell | Melbourne | 5th May
Overall, Quadeca’s show at 170 Russell was incredibly enjoyable. It’s rare to see a solo artist at a show this intimate where you’re able to see them flaunt their full spectrum of musical talent and songwriting abilities, as well as appreciate the clear passion for their craft, but when it happens it’s not to be missed.
TISM | PICA | Melbourne | 2nd May
TISM’s PICA show was not only a grand celebration of Melbourne music culture, but also a wonderful culmination of a career spanning 4 decades that truly made the most of the opportunity they had given the capabilities of the venue.
Black Foxxes | Young Street Tavern | Melbourne | 25th April
It is difficult to describe without experiencing, but there is something to their soundscape that I have not felt before, something that lures me in quickly and mesmerizes me all the way up until they stop, no matter the runtime. The music grows and dips, churns itself up and then provides soft release, shouts at you and then whispers to you, relies on hypnotic repetition before snapping into something new to surprise you.
Ruby Fields | Croxton Bandroom | Melbourne | 24th April
If I was to describe this band with a single word, I think I would have to say “authentic.” It is impossible to not be engaged with every single second of every story they tell.
HOT MULLIGAN | THE FORUM | April 22nd
It’s the perfect sprinkling of all my favourite sounds combined, and I truly never wanted it to end, and no one else around me did either. It’s very hard to be able to enamour a room of 2,000 people, but to Hot Mulligan it’s second nature. The utter devotion of their fans is really a testament to this band's incredible work, and the unforgettable show that they put on. Filing out of the crowd was slow, my feet heavy from dancing, and as we trudged outside, I still couldn’t find a reason not to be grinning from ear to ear.
A Day To Remember | Rod Laver Arena | 8th April
From start to finish, Wednesday night delivered in every way. It didn’t feel like a worknight, with a packed room and a crowd that refused to hold anything back. With a lineup this stacked, it ended up being one of those nights that sticks with you.
One Ok Rock | Margaret Court Arena | Melbourne | 12th March
It was a fun night with One Ok Rock, carrying the effortless comfort of catching up with an old friend. Always welcome, always great to hear from, and hopefully not too long before we share a room with them again.
Paledusk | Stay Gold | Melbourne | 28th February
As Lights came to a close, the band took a photo with the crowd, bringing their Australian run to an end. With one final “Arigatou gozaimasu” from Kaito, it was over. 2026 has already been off to a flying start for me, and it is hard to imagine many shows topping finally getting to see these guys live again.
Black Country, New Road | Palace Foreshore | Melbourne | 26th February
As the night grew colder and the wind picked up, the band moved into the title track, ‘Forever Howlong’, which saw Kershaw simultaneously singing, playing accordion, and conducting the rest of the band as they each played recorder. Slow-building and distinctly pastoral, it carried a medieval, chamber-folk quality that set it apart from the rest of the set.
Kesha | John Cain Arena | Melbourne | 22nd February
There are concerts that feel like polite showcases of rehearsed routines, and then there are shows that feel like a collective exhale. On Sunday night, Kesha didn’t just bring her Tits Out Tour to John Cain Arena, she brought a manifesto of autonomy that was as raunchy as it was liberated.
Lambrini Girls | Northcote Theatre | Melbourne | 22nd February
Bloom | Max Watts | Melbourne | 18th February
This show was a complete and utter success, with endless crowdsurfers and the most passionate audience I’ve seen in a very long time, it was hard not to feel like a proud parent in some strange way. A complete full circle for a band who deserves it more than anything, they’ve worked their asses off to get to where they are today, and I hope that after tonight they can see how much it has all paid off.
Floodlights | Balnarring Social Club | 15th February
An immensely likeable and charming band, whose music feels uniquely 2020s. They’re vague and thematic in their allusions to summer and country driving, and allow the listener to project into their music whatever they want it to symbolise.
Life’s A Beach | Riviera Beach Club Melbourne | February 14th
It was unreal from start to finish, and they’re a band I’ll never get sick of seeing live. But the cherry on top was the fireworks. Straight up fireworks. As Polaris’ set came to a close, the whole sky lit up in colour and the place just erupted, applause everywhere, people yelling, cheering, and soaking in the cool sandy breeze.
Lou Reed | 170 Russell
It was frankly euphoric to see so many of Lou’s songs that mean so much to me played by musicians whom I so admire, and to see that such a buzz still surrounds Lou and his work. This concert was everything I could have ever wanted, and if a benevolent God exists he very well may have orchestrated this entire night just for me.