Luke Hemmings' fans were feeling the nostalgia at the final show of his Australian tour in Brisbane.
On a beautiful night (16 June), fans gathered at The Tivoli, with the atmosphere set by a disco ball and old-style lighting, creating the perfect ambience for the evening ahead. Self-proclaimed 'sunshine gothic' Sydney artist, Annie Hamilton graced the stage with utmost elegance and passion. From her black sequin angel wings to her echoing vocals, Annie was the perfect picture of a fallen angel.
She stated her appreciation for Luke Hemmings: "Huge thank you to Luke for having me play these shows, it's been beautiful. Tonight is their last night of their tour for an entire two-month tour, so I think you guys are getting the best show."
Fans were treated to a stripped-back set, with Annie commenting on the intimacy of her performance: "It's been very nice to play solo 'cause this is how I write the songs; I'm usually sitting in my bedroom writing."
Annie Hamilton - image © Gaby Barns
Annie captivated the audience with a collection of originals, including fan favourites like 'Panic'. The excitement peaked when she surprised everyone with the performance of an unreleased song, leaving the crowd buzzing with anticipation for her new album.
A touching moment in the set was when fans lit up the venue with their phone torches during 'Whirwind', to which she said with appreciation: "Oh my god, you guys are gonna make me cry."
Her entire performance was a testament to her artistry and ability to connect with the audience. It was clear that Annie Hamilton is a force to be reckoned with in the music world, leaving fans eagerly anticipating what she will do next.
Without further ado, the lights dimmed and smoke enveloped the stage. The venue resonated with the opening chords of Luke Hemmings' 'A Beautiful Dream'.
As the show kicked into high gear, fans were electrified by a burst of streamers during his second song, 'Motion', adding a dazzling visual spectacle to the start of an already captivating performance.
Luke Hemmings - image © Gaby Barns
As the show went on, Luke took a second to say: "This is the last show for the Nostalgia For A Time That Never Existed tour. I couldn't think of a better place to end the tour. Could you think of a better place? I didn't think so."
Later in the set, Luke amped up the excitement by saying: "We are here for a good dance, we're here for a good cry, we're all the same. Thank you for singing so loud, I know you've been waiting a long time. The first album came out at least three years ago."
Taking in the true element of nostalgia that was so prevalent throughout the night, Luke reminisced about the history of his latest album 'Boy'. "When I was writing these songs, I wrote a lot of these songs in 2020, bad year I'm sorry, and I never thought I would release them to be honest, I never thought they would come out. I certainly didn't think people would love them and I'd be here four years later to a sold out place in Brisbane so I appreciate you being here."
Luke Hemmings - image © Gaby Barns
Luke paused his originals to treat the crowd to a cover of 'Friday I'm In Love’ by The Cure, introducing the song with: "This song is made for dancing, it's made for singing and if you're here on a date, it's good for making the first move."
The crowd jumped in at the end of the song, chanting "shoey" to which Luke's band had come prepared with new shoes as they all partook in a shoey. "I don't really know what I was going to say, I had a whole story planned, last show of the tour, I was going to get really emotional, then the shoey came out of no where."
Luke Hemmings - image © Gaby Barns
He then continued saying: "Last time I played here, I don't think I was allowed to do anything but walk from backstage to the stage because I was 17!"
Fans had come prepared with props, from flowers to signs, with one fan having a banner stating 'MILF' that Luke humorously responded to with: "That's very inappropriate. My mum's here tonight."
One standout moment was during 'I'm Still Your Boy' when fans held up blue paper over their phones, showcasing their mutual adoration for the artist. It was a powerful demonstration of the unity and strength of the fan base. The night ended with Hemmings' hit song 'Starting Line'.
With electrifying performances, heartfelt moments, and unforgettable fan interactions, it was a night to remember. As the house lights came on, it was clear Luke's talent and connection with his audience have solidified his place as a powerhouse in the music industry.
More photos from the concert.
