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.
PIERCE THE VEIL | ROD LAVER ARENA | April 12th
There was no time for recovery though, as the next track was arguably one of their best of all time, “Bulls in the Bronx”. From where we were sitting, we had a great view of the pit, they looked like a clan of tiny ants, and the first circle pit of night broke out during the bridge. Lionel has to be one of my favourite live drummers out right now, and his bongo solo before “I’m Low on Gas and You Need a Jacket,” sealed that with a bow for me.
Machine Gun Kelly | Rod Laver Arena | April 11th
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.
Landmvrks Headline Show | Stay Gold | 7th April
Taking a detour from their massive Australian arena tour, French metalcore heavyweights Landmvrks squeezed their stadium-sized energy into Melbourne's Stay Gold for an exclusive headline show. With local hardcore crew Saving Face setting the standard high, here is what went down during one of the most chaotic, unrelenting, and intimate club gigs of the year.
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.
Ed Sheeran | Marvel Stadium | Melbourne | 27th February
Since his humble beginnings busking on street corners, Sheeran has mastered the impossible: maintaining the closeness of a pub gig while performing on the world’s biggest stages. This Melbourne stop, the second of a three-night stand, felt less like a standard tour date and more like a spiritual homecoming.
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.
The Gloom In The Corner “Royal Discordance” Album Review
Overall, this record is a massive step forward for the band. It manages to keep that chaotic, lore-heavy soul that made me fall in love with them in the first place, but the production and the songwriting feel sharper and more intentional than ever.
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
Nothing “a short history of decay” Album Review
It is no wonder that Palermo has described a short history of decay as feeling like a “final chapter,” a conclusion to ideas that have permeated throughout all of their albums, but I think Nothing wants us to find solace through accepting this conclusion.
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.
Angel Du$t “Cold 2 The Touch” Album Review
Cold 2 The Touch sees Angel Du$t dominate a whole range of genres, with punk, hardcore, indie, and psychedelic all getting a moment to shine on the album. The album is relentless in its intensity, but it never feels overwhelming. If you’re a fan of the lighter side of punk or the heavier hardcore side, you will find something you love in this album.
Karnivool “In Verses” Album Review
IN VERSES’ diverse mix of sounds and pacing is endlessly exciting, and its broad thematic sweep, deep emotion, and lyrical non-specificity deliver meaningful commentary without ever feeling self-aggrandising.
New Found Glory “Listen Up!” Album Review
As a whole, ‘Listen Up!’ highlights ‘New Found Glory’s’ enduring sound and lasting influence on pop punk. It honours the genre they helped shape while speaking honestly about growth, adversity, and connection.