Back home headlining shows around the country as part of their joint tour with Blackpool, UK, rockers Boston Manor, Australia's own Trophy Eyes made a spectacular appearance at Melbourne's Forum Theatre on Saturday.
Rounding off the home leg of the tour, the night (31 August) had something for everyone, Trophy Eyes' updated 2024 set list touching every base, covering their massive 11-year career as a band in an hour that felt like mere minutes.Opening the night was Adelaide pop-punk sweethearts, Towns. No stranger to Trophy Eyes-adjacent crowds, the duo brought their well-known, high-energy set to the Forum's vast stage.
The two did well to fill the space with a large crowd gathered in front of them, lead singer Aston spinning around the stage while his partner in crime Dan (drummer-vocalist) tied everything together with his iconic yell-y vocals.
A nice surprise for older fans of the band, 'Sun' – off 2018's 'Television' EP – made a live appearance, gaining a strong crowd reaction. The set came to a close with 'Season 5 (Break My Fall)', a track that many in the front few rows were more than happy to sing-along to. Rounding out the opening act, Dan made sure to take a crowd video for his mum: "Just so she believes me!"
It's undeniable the fact Boston Manor's Australian audience grows by the minute. Last making their appearance in the country with Orange County emo-rockers Movements, the band have progressed from The Corner Hotel to The Forum, and deservingly so.
By their second song, the UK band had the pit heaving and those keen few punters climbing over others to surf to the front, beginning what would be a very busy night for security. Lead singer Henry Cox saw the action and decided to see how far he could take it: "I'm flying home tomorrow, I'm going to get my money's worth from this show!"
Playing a newer track off their upcoming album, 'Heat Me Up' was greeted with fans reciting the words in absolute unison, with Cox waving his arms like he was conducting an orchestra.
Two more standout tracks came in the form of 'Halo' and 'Foxglove', both garnering more loud sing-alongs, the latter resulting in a large pit collapsing in on itself at the drop of the track.
Eleven years in, Trophy Eyes are well aware of the stature they hold in their home country. It felt more than fitting as they walked onto their palm-tree-banner-filled stage to Pavarotti's 'Nessun Dorma'. A deep-blue light filled the stage as lead singer and frontman John Floreani eased into 'Sydney', followed by 'Life In Slow Motion', a slow but epic build.
The animated crowd seemed to eat up these newer songs off of the band's 2023 release 'Suicide And Sunshine', even more so during 'Blue Eyed Boy' and 'People Like You'. Not five songs into the set, the crowd and band alike were covered in joyous sweat, with fans roaring at John's every move. "Melbourne! Are you still f...ing with me?!"
While the set list made sure to cater to a long-spanning career, some fans clinging to the older albums may have felt some whiplash, with the band jumping back and forth throughout the eras.
Although some fan favourites were clearly missing (notably 'Daydreamer' and 'Bandaid', off 'Chemical Miracle' and 'Everything Goes Away' respectively), the new and updated Trophy Eyes set list still felt inclusive enough to appease the whole listener base.
For those pining for the heavier side of the Sydney act, guitarist Josh Campiao's murderously heavy vocals during tracks like 'OMW' scratched just the itch it needed to. While 'Choke' seemingly received the best crowd reaction of the night.
The pit was moving non-stop throughout each song, with those wanting to crowd surf always having their wishes granted. A wholesome moment in the set saw John urging fans to take out their phones and follow the support bands on their respective streaming services: "Art is the most important thing in the world, without it how would we know we're human? You gotta show up for art!"
Another speech from the frontman touched on the band expecting 'Suicide And Sunshine' to be their last album, but hinting they may have at least one more in the tank.
Ending on a huge note with fan favourite tracks 'You Can Count On Me' and 'Chlorine', both the crowd and the band wanted to finish the night on a high note. Upon the closing, desperate lyrics of 'Chlorine', which were decimated by the humongous singing by the crowd, the band said goodbye, took a photo for the history books and disappeared off stage.
With their UK leg coming up, fans will be sitting tight for the next time they go to church with Trophy Eyes.
