Words & Photos Steph Ure
Brisbane's The Tivoli welcomed a night of genre-bending chaos on Friday, as Dance Gavin Dance brought their Australian headline tour to Brisbane alongside The Fall of Troy and Galleons.
With three bands known for pushing musical boundaries, blending genres and delivering technically impressive performances, the evening promised a little bit of everything. From melodic vocals and intricate guitar work to heavy breakdowns, screaming and a whole lot of personality, Brisbane was in for a treat.
Opening the evening were Galleons, bringing a delightful mixed bunch of musical influences to the stage. Combining screaming vocals, heavy metal, pop-punk, electronic elements and melodic lyricism, Galleons are one of those bands where you never quite know which genre will make an appearance next, and that's half the fun.
Their high-energy performance was matched by an equally intense light show, with flashing lights complementing the band's musical changes and lively stage presence. There was an enjoyable chemistry between the members, making their performance as entertaining to watch as it was to listen to.
Moving between heavier moments and softer melodic sections, Galleons created a set that felt unpredictable without losing its musical direction. Closing with a new song, the band left Brisbane with another taste of their continually evolving sound and an energetic opening to the evening.
Next to take the stage were American math-rock and post-hardcore favourites The Fall of Troy, who wasted absolutely no time reminding Brisbane why they remain such a beloved name within the genre.
Requesting that the stage lights remain low before launching into their performance, the band immediately established a moody atmosphere, quickly replaced by punchy instrumentation and their signature chaotic energy.
There was even a playful moment featuring a guitar riff from Disney's Aladdin, with the familiar melody of 'A Whole New World' making an unexpected appearance.
Despite the cheeky atmosphere, the evening also brought a genuinely touching moment when vocalist and guitarist Thomas Erak dedicated a song to a friend who had passed away. Becoming visibly emotional while speaking about now having a guardian angel, Erak honoured their memory before continuing the performance. It was a beautiful reminder of the personal connections behind the music.
That vulnerability was soon followed by the pure joy and cheekiness that made The Fall of Troy such a delight to watch.
Erak, with his luscious long locks and seemingly endless energy, spent much of the set interacting with the audience. During one particularly amusing moment, while I was attempting to capture those glorious flowing locks, Erak cheekily pushed my camera away before giggling and excitedly bounding off again. Honestly, it's difficult not to enjoy a band clearly having this much fun.
Their stage presence was captivating, with incredible guitar solos, complex instrumentation and a performance that managed to feel technically impressive without losing its playful personality.
The audience certainly agreed, with crowd surfers making their way across the room throughout the set. Particularly enjoyable was seeing a surprising number of young women, many appearing to be in their late teens and early twenties, confidently throwing themselves into the experience. It was wonderful seeing the girls getting amongst the action and enjoying the freedom of the pit.
As the set approached its final moments, the band thanked Brisbane for coming out, reminding everyone to take care of themselves and each other. Their closing performance delivered one final burst of energy, with Erak dropping towards the floor for an impressive guitar solo, bending at the knees as he continued to play.
Chaotic, playful and ridiculously entertaining, The Fall of Troy proved exactly why they remain such a crowd and genre favourite.
Finally, it was time for the evening's headliners, Dance Gavin Dance.
Celebrating their latest album, Pantheon, alongside favourites from their extensive back catalogue, the Sacramento post-hardcore outfit arrived ready to give Brisbane everything they had. Opening with 'Chucky vs. The Giant Tortoise', the band immediately brought their signature combination of intricate guitar work, melodic vocals and heavy screams to the forefront.
By the second song, Brisbane was already being encouraged to split the pit, with one important rule: if somebody falls, help them back up. And Brisbane certainly understood the assignment.
With Andrew Wells leading the melodic sections and Jon Mess delivering the heavier vocal elements, Dance Gavin Dance demonstrated an impressive balance of technical skill and pure entertainment. Intricate instrumentation, powerful screams and soaring melodies were accompanied by dancing, jokes and constant crowd interaction.
"Oh Brisbane, that's what I'm fucking talking about!"
The excitement was mutual, with the audience singing along throughout the set, regularly echoing lyrics back towards the stage. Tracks including 'Speed Demon' showcased the band's ability to blend contrasting musical styles, moving between punchy, heavier moments and melodic passages while maintaining an infectious rhythm.
But perhaps one of the evening's most entertaining moments came courtesy of a particularly Australian tradition. As a chant of "shoey" began spreading through the audience, the band couldn't help but laugh. With it apparently being Martin's first time in Australia, the crowd were determined to introduce him to the local custom.
There was, however, one small problem. "I have no shoe and we a sober band."
Not to be defeated, one audience member took off their shoe and threw it at him, and another audience member produced a bottle of water, and the band agreed that a water shoey would do. And so, in front of a delighted Brisbane audience, the water shoey was completed by Andrew Wells before the band returned to the music.
Ridiculous, wholesome and exactly the kind of spontaneous crowd interaction that makes live performances so memorable.
As the evening continued, Dance Gavin Dance maintained an impressive level of energy, with the audience refusing to stop singing along. Between the spinning, dancing, technical guitar work, melodic vocals and powerful screams, the performance was both skilful and genuinely entertaining.
Rather than simply watching a band perform, there was a feeling of being part of the experience. Their crowd interaction felt natural, with just enough playful conversation to create memorable moments without interrupting the momentum of the show.
With Brisbane encouraged to give everything they had left, the band powered towards the end of their set. Thanking Australia for being such an incredible crowd and welcoming them so enthusiastically, Dance Gavin Dance launched into 'The Stickler', bringing one final burst of energy to the evening.
By the end of the night, The Tivoli had been treated to three distinctly different performances, each celebrating the creativity and musical freedom that makes post-hardcore such an exciting genre.
From emotional dedications and incredible guitar solos to crowd surfing, circle pits and a very Australian and Straight Edge water shoey, Brisbane certainly wasn't short on memorable moments. Three bands, an abundance of musical talent and an audience more than willing to give everything they had.
What more could you ask for from a Friday night?
