Brisbane's The Tivoli felt different last night. Heavy, expectant, like everyone knew they were about to step into something raw; and honestly? Me too.
I was one overpriced drink away from texting my ex, and Role Model was about to rip open every emotional wound I've ever tried to ignore (5 February).Because love doesn't just disappear when it ends. It lingers in the spaces someone used to fill, in the quiet moments where their voice should be. Role Model's No Place Like tour in support of his sophomore album, 'Kansas Anymore', is built from that wreckage.
Basically, if you've ever stared at your ceiling at 2am wondering where it all went wrong, this one's for you. However, this isn't the same Role Model who once sang about love like it was unshakable.
Image © Hope Morgan
The 27 year old is no longer writing songs about devotion; he's writing about what happens when devotion isn't enough. When the promises unravel, when the 'forever' turns into 'what now?'.
Last night, as each song poured out into the room, it was impossible not to feel it: heartbreak, grief, and the sheer, unrelenting beauty of trying to make sense of it all.
Before we all fell apart emotionally, Medium Build set the stage with his stripped-down, soul-baring set. Just him, a mic, and an acoustic guitar. No theatrics, just a voice full of grit and stories of love and loss.
He was warm, funny, and exactly the kind of opener you want when you're about to spiral into your feelings.
Then, the lights dimmed. The stage glowed a deep blue, and the opening notes of 'Writing's On The Wall' erupted. The production was subtle but intentional, letting his voice take centre stage. His voice had this raw edge to it, and he pulled off that effortlessly cool look, trendy tattoos and all.
From the jump, Role Model made sure we felt everything with him. 'Look At That Woman' felt like a dagger to the heart, the bassline pumping. 'Scumbag' had just the right amount of bite, with sharp, punchy percussion cutting through the self-loathing.
Image © Hope Morgan
'Oh, Gemini' was haunting in its simplicity, the kind of song that lingers long after the last note fades. It's an open wound of a track, a delicate yet brutal reflection of love slipping through his fingers.
This record centres around his breakup with influential star Emma Chamberlain, who, yes, is a Gemini and is referenced throughout the album. You could hear the emotional weight of that reality in the way he delivered these songs, as if he was still unpacking them even now.
'A Little More Time' and 'Superglue' were delicate but devastating, the kind of songs that make you wonder if this man has been spying on your breakup.
At one point, the crowd started chanting "Shoey! Shoey!" – a rite of passage for international artists in Australia. Role Model laughed, shaking his head before responding: "When I told everyone I was coming [to Australia], the one thing I'm not doing is a shoey. I'm not drinking out of a f...ing shoe." A man with boundaries. I respect it.
Image © Hope Morgan
'The Dinner' and 'Frances' felt even more intimate live, like flipping through old love letters you swore you'd never open again but here you are, crying in public. The soft piano on 'Frances' was crushingly beautiful, each note landing like a whisper of something lost. Another obvious nod to Emma Chamberlain, whose middle name is Frances.
Then came the shift, the moment of reinvention. The 'Slut Era Interlude' was playful, self-aware, a much-needed reminder that heartbreak isn't just about sadness; it's about rediscovering yourself in the aftermath.
Then? A cover of The 1975's 'Somebody Else' – a song for anyone who can't picture their ex with anyone else. The crowd screamed every word, a choir of the heartbroken belting out the soundtrack to moving on (or trying to convince ourselves we have).
From there, the set was a masterclass in emotional whiplash. 'Slipfast' burned slow, with its synth-heavy production. 'That's Just How It Goes' was resigned but fearless. 'Compromise' hit like a gut punch, the distorted guitar and aching falsetto making it impossible to escape the weight of his words.
Then came the closer, 'Deeply Still In Love'. A track so vulnerable, yet fun. It was exactly the kind of ending that left us dancing in the dark.
For Role Model, 'Kansas Anymore' isn't just about loss; it's about transformation. He's embracing the pride and closure that comes with turning something deeply personal into something that might move others.
Last night, standing in that room, feeling the weight of every lyric, it was undeniable. Who knew heartbreak could sound so. . . beautiful?
- written by Audrey Songvilay
More photos from the concert.
