Melbourne music venue The Croxton welcomed electro-rock legends Don Broco back to Australia for their third tour down under, this time not just taking on the east coast but also incorporating Adelaide and Perth dates into the run of shows.
Joining them on this venture are Melbourne metalcore group Future Static and Sydney rockers RedHook, each band bringing their own unique talent to the stacked line-up.
Melbourne are no strangers to the progressive metal outfit Future Static, with lead singer Amariah Cook continuing to astound audiences with her powerful, clean harmonies and harsh vocals.
She brings both seduction and intensity to her performance, keeping crowds entranced making Future Static a force to be reckoned with. The false-chord scream in which Cook projected in the final song, 'Roach Queen', was so admirable, her talent is simply unmeasured when it comes to live performance.
Audience members after the set were heard stating that how each time this alternative rock group performs, they get better and better, exceeding expectations of onlookers every single time.
Future Static - image © Maxine Thomas
The energy bouncing between guitarists Ryan Qualiza and Jack Smith onstage is always a joy to watch, seeing them thrive in what truly is their natural environment, head-banging along to the music with Qualizza getting to show off his luscious locks.
Kira Neil never ceases to amaze the crowd with her belting harmonies, perfectly blending with that of Cook's; and all whilst singing in such a powerful and angelic way, Neil really knows how to tear it up on bass.
The bass still is considered such an underrated instrument in live performance, but Neil has this magical way of giving such prestige to it that it truly does feel like a massive piece of Future Static would be missing without her presence onstage.
Drummer Jackson Trudel always makes his job look so easy from afar, holding the fort up the back of the stage. Trudel's aggressive drumming technique and blast beats cut through the mix with precision, driving Future Static's set forward with relentless energy. His performance felt both commanding and effortless, keeping the crowd jumping and dancing.
Future Static - image © Maxine Thomas
For what Cook stated to be "a bucket list tour" for the Melbourne local heroes, Future Static did not hold back, showing headliners Don Broco they made a smart decision in picking the metalcore band to open the night.
Fast-growing Sydney rockers RedHook took to the stage for a matinee of collaboration, bubble blowers and saxophone solos. Crowds can always expect a party when this lot are on the line-up, bringing all the surprises they can manage.
Special appearances were made by Future Static's Amariah Cook for 'HEXXX' and long-time friend David De La Hoz of Bellehaven for 'Soju'. RedHook have always prided themselves on bringing the aspects of community and friendship into their performances.
If they can't bring everyone up onstage for 'Bad Decisions', they'll always sneak in the odd guest performance or two. Special mention must go out to guitarist, backing vocalist and saxophone player Craig Wilkinson for the evening – this man was a powerhouse.
RedHook - image © Maxine Thomas
Unfortunately battling a sudden bout of food poisoning, Wilkinson's multifaceted talent still shone through nonetheless. From shredding on guitar and running around stage with bassist Ned Jankovic, to backing lead singer Emmy Mack with raw, harsh vocals, and smashing out a saxophone solo in 'Soju', nothing was stopping Wilkinson from getting the job done.
Mack kept audience members in suspense for the whole performance, wondering what outfit she was going to show up in next with a total of four costume changes throughout the short set.
From starting out looking like a gangsta for 'Bomb.com', becoming a psych patient for 'Psych Vs Psych' with fellow band members wearing whacky sunglasses, to blood-covered garments for 'Dead Walk', you honestly would've believed this was a RedHook headline show.
Emmy's dedication to keeping the show as captivating as possible whilst also bringing such dynamism to her performance is commendable. Mack takes every chance she can to get down with the crowd, leaping onto the barrier and even joining in with the mosh to ensure that each individual concert-goer can create a special memory for themselves.
Jankovic brings the hype-man role to the band, encouraging the crowd with his powerful stare splitting them in half for a wall of death or get a circle pit going. Whenever he's not commanding the crowd, Jankovic locks in and lets loose on bass adding to RedHook's chaotic energy with his unrelenting stage presence keeping the momentum high.
RedHook - image © Maxine Thomas
Drummer Alex Powys delivered a breakneck-paced performance, going as far as to have cymbals break mid set and adjusting muscle memory to suit. Unfortunately, fans did not get to see one of his usual famous drum solos this time around but his intensity and relentless talent proved once again why he is such a vital part of the alternative metal band.
Considering Powys had just come off of touring with Hevenshe as Jenna McDougall's fill-in drummer, lack of sleep was not going to hold him back and RedHook couldn't fathom the idea of doing this tour without their main drummer.
From bubble blowers to beach balls bouncing 'round the room, RedHook sure know how to keep the energy high.
With a very entertaining yet rough technical issues start to their set, Don Broco's lead singer Rob Damiani knew he had to do what he knew best, entertain the crowd and that is what he did.
Damiani is a man of many talents, from projecting smooth, melodic pop-leaning vocals with gritty rock delivery, to a comedic personality that shines through his whole persona, fans were nowhere near bothered by the later start.
Don Broco - image © Maxine Thomas
One thing that especially stood out with Don Broco's set was how much Damiani lets the fans take over, simply taking in how much love Australia has for this Bedford, England, electro-rock band.
There was not a single person in that room who wasn't singing their hearts out. People even travelled from as far as Swindon, UK, just to showcase their love and appreciation.
Whenever he wasn't entertaining the fans vocally, Damiani was always busting a move wherever he could, matching the energy of string band mates Simon Delaney and Tom Doyle.
The English metal-pop group give off a Hollywood Undead vibe with their experimental and nonconformist style, whilst matching that with a Limp Bizkit riotous fun performance and fan response. They can be either hit or miss in today's music scene, love them or hate them.
Their live presence compared to what is recorded is incomparable. The atmosphere that is simply built in the room could honestly win someone over who is questioning whether they enjoy Don Broco's sound or not. Even if you aren't the biggest fan, getting to experience one of their shows should be on everyone's bucket list.
The guttural screams featured in 'Fingernails' take you off guard when you hear Damiani. For a man who seems so lax onstage to then produce raw material such as that is purely something to behold.
Don Broco - image © Maxine Thomas
From crowd surfers, room-sized circle pits, to crowds chanting "Yippee-ki-yay mother f...er.," and finishing with their classic hit 'T-Shirt Song' with the usual ritual of fans tearing off their shirts and twirling them in the air, Don Broco are a band like no other with a fan base like no other.
The energy bouncing between both parties is one of a kind, each powering the other. If you've ever questioned about seeing these guys live, take the chance because you are bound to be in for a very memorable night.
Kudos to the touring crew for planning the Melbourne show for a Saturday night as they unlocked the peak-energy level for this tour with Melbourne taking best city so far.
More photos from the concert.
