The Temper Trap | The Forum | Melbourne | 11th September
The Temper Trap delivered a soaring, atmospheric homecoming at the Forum, effortlessly weaving nostalgia, intimacy, and euphoric release throughout the first of two sold-out Melbourne shows. Celebrating their return alongside their fourth album Sungazer, the band arrived with renewed purpose rather than a simple victory lap. Support act Lastlings set the mood early with a bold departure from their usual electronic arrangements, playing an unreleased set powered by live guitar and drums. Anchored by the hook-heavy cut "Crush" alongside a spellbinding cover of Cigarettes After Sex’s "Nothing’s Gonna Hurt You Baby," their moody indie-rock pivot held the packed theatre completely captivated.
When the headliners emerged against an impressive backdrop of colorful geometric LED installations, early favorites "Love Lost" and "Fader" immediately re-established their widescreen grandeur. Dougy Mandagi’s soaring falsetto cut straight through the mix, pristine and untouched by time. The momentum surged across "Lucky Dimes" and the syncopated drive of "Trembling Hands" before the band treated the room to the worldwide live premiere of "Runaways." The newer tracks brought a darker, more expansive texture that sat seamlessly alongside familiar staples like "Fools" and "Lifeline," proving their sonic palette has grown considerably richer during their time away.
Amid the stadium-scale euphoria, the night found its grounding in genuine intimacy. Introducing the title track "Sungazer," Mandagi paused the spectacle to speak openly about fatherhood, dedicating the song to his three-year-old son. That rare, tender moment shifted the room into something profound, flowing into an atmospheric album interlude and the jagged, art-rock punch of "Science of Fear." From there, the thunderous twin percussion of "Drum Song" gave the crowd a visceral, physical release before the band stepped offstage.
Returning for the encore with visible disbelief at the sea of faces, Mandagi remarked that there is still no crowd quite like a hometown crowd. He then prefaced "The Sea Is Calling" with the story of surviving a severe bout of typhoid abroad, an experience that altered his worldview and inspired one of the evening's most affecting performances. Stripped of bombast, the track floated through the cavernous space with delicate grace.
Tension mounted through "Soldier On" before the opening notes of "Sweet Disposition" detonated the room into an overwhelming, cathartic singalong. Rather than feeling like a vintage artifact, the anthem sounded revitalized and urgent, flowing straight into a deafening, full-throttle finale with "Giving Up Air." It was a set that felt deeply nostalgic and wonderfully alive, proving the enduring power of The Temper Trap while making a compelling case that their best chapters are still unfolding.
