LANY struck an arrow through the hearts of everyone in the crowd at Brisbane's The Fortitude Music Hall last Friday.
From the early hours of the night (8 November), eager fans gathered and chanted for the headliners as soon as the doors opened.Culture Wars opened the night with an electric performance that set the night in motion, greeting the crowd with a gritty, high-energy vibe as they walked out to Oasis' 'Cigarettes & Alcohol'.
The band, hailing from Austin, Texas, has clearly mastered the art of grabbing the audience's attention from the first beat. Frontman Alex Dugan confidently balanced a mic stand and surveyed the crowd, who were eager for the show to kick off.
Their stage presence was raw and authentic, a perfect match for their powerful sound that combined rock and electronic elements. One of the night's memorable moments came from a fan in the crowd, who boldly confessed their love for guitarist Caleb Contreras.
It was a brief, but endearing interaction that added a personal touch to the set and showed how much the crowd connected with the band. Caleb played right into the vibe, not missing a beat, clearly enjoying the love from the crowd as much as he gave it back in his performance.
Culture Wars has been on a whirlwind schedule, with this being their second, concurrent tour in Australia within two weeks, including a stint with Amy Shark. Despite what must be a tiring schedule, they showed no signs of slowing down. Their passion for performing was clear, bringing a raw energy that felt both effortless and engaging.
As the set came to a close, Culture Wars kept the energy going by tossing merchandise into the crowd, creating a final rush of excitement for fans who had come to see them play.
LANY - image © Gaby Barns
LANY's performance was nothing short of spectacular from the moment the curtain dropped down, covering the stage. As the lights went out and a backlight revealed the silhouette of drummer Jake Clifford Goss against it, the audience erupted in screams.
The curtain then completely fell, unveiling the stage and setting off a wave of energy that filled the venue. LANY's fanbase, spanning generations, had waited eagerly for this moment, and the connection between band and fans was clear from the start.
From the outset, frontman Paul Klein made sure everyone felt the impact of the night. "This is going to be the best night of your entire life," he promised, immediately followed by another declaration: "This is already the best show of my tour." His words ignited the crowd even further, with fans throwing roses onto the stage during the song 'You!' in a moving gesture of admiration.
Between songs, Paul took time to check in with the crowd, asking: "How are we feeling so far, everybody? Is everybody happy, is everybody good?" He shared it was the final show of their world tour, adding weight to every interaction and moment.
LANY - image © Gaby Barns
The show's staging was carefully crafted, to amplify every song's emotional impact. During 'I Pray', a piano was wheeled out bringing a soulful intimacy to the performance. Lights dimmed during the heart-wrenching 'Alonica', while the band switched to acoustic instruments for 'Cause You Have To', creating a stripped-down, poignant segment that left the audience in a rapturous state.
Paul continually invited fans into the experience, urging: "Bring the lights up so I can see everybody," and creating a sense of community before welcoming them as part of the LANY family.
In 'Care Less', beach balls bounced around the venue adding a playful touch, while for 'Congrats', Paul humorously welcomed everyone to "therapy on a Friday night," telling fans: "Come on, it's time for therapy; step into my office."
LANY - image © Gaby Barns
The encore was a powerful end to an already unforgettable night. Fans threw confetti during the anthemic 'ILYSB', as Paul urged: "If you're here with someone you love tonight, put them on your shoulders," creating a sea of fans perched above the crowd, celebrating the moment together.
They ended with 'XXL', Paul joining the crowd, sending everyone into a frenzy as they raised signs and sang along at the top of their lungs. As the final notes faded, Paul stood centre stage taking in the roaring applause, visibly moved and teary-eyed.
With his band beside him, he took a bow, thanking the fans for a night he vowed they'd remember forever. "We are going to remember this night for the rest of our lives," he said, crouching down, overcome with emotion, before leaving the stage as fans chanted 'LANY' in unison.
LANY - image © Gaby Barns
It was a night that perfectly captured the magic of live music, where fans and artists come together to create unforgettable memories, cementing LANY's place in the hearts of their fans for years to come.
More photos from the concert.
