LIVE REVIEW: BOWLING FOR SOUP + FRANK TURNER & THE SLEEPING SOULS + TALK HEAVY @ THE TIVOLI 02/05/26

Words by Steph Ure Photos Tahni Davis

When The Tivoli is packed, it’s always a good sign for the night ahead, but on Saturday, it felt like more than that. There was a buzz of anticipation for Bowling For Soup and Frank Turner and The Sleeping Souls’ double headliner show before you even stepped through the doors, with the line stretching far down the street. A crowd of all ages, new and longtime fans alike, ready for a lineup that promised both nostalgia and the sense that you weren’t quite going to get what you expected.

Brisbane’s own Talk Heavy kicked things off with a short, sharp set that did exactly what an opener should. High energy from the jump, strong crowd engagement, and a clear focus on building momentum early. Their Aussie rock edge cut through quickly, with a wrestling-inspired track standing out as a fun, punchy moment that got people moving. Tight, effective, and no overstay, before heading straight off to their next stop in Sydney. That energy didn’t dip, it just evolved.

Frank Turner and The Sleeping Souls hit the stage, and immediately turned a warmed-up crowd into a fully engaged one. No slow build, no easing in, just straight into raw, high-energy UK punk with a room ready to give it straight back. From the first song, singalongs were locked in, and they didn’t let up.

Frank Turner has a way of making a venue feel connected, even at full capacity. Whether it was swapping mics with bandmates, joking mid-set, or directing the pit while still performing, everything felt intentional without losing its edge. A circle pit formed early, paired with the reminder that “safety is very punk rock,” and later, what’s usually a “wall of death” turned into a “wall of hugs”, somehow keeping the energy high while staying grounded in care, as strangers embraced over a shared love of live music.

Moments like a full-venue singalong to “I Still Believe” and the crowd shouting every word of “Get Better” showed just how locked in the room was. Between songs, Turner shared that this marked show number 3147 and his ninth time in Brisbane,jetlagged from flying in, but performing like anything but.

The set moved fluidly between his punk roots and more folk-driven storytelling without losing pace, giving the night depth beneath the chaos. A quick story about linking up with Bowling For Soup during Good Things Festival,and choosing to bring a tour to Brisbane together, made the pairing feel intentional.

By the final stretch, the band had the room eating out of the palm of their hand. Even when a guitar issue crept in late, it was handled so smoothly it barely registered, no drop in energy, no break in flow. A true professional in control, finishing strong to a packed pit and a buzzing crowd. Then came the shift.

Bowling ForSoup took the stage, flipping the tone and leaning straight into what they do best, fun, chaos, and a whole lot of personality. Opening with “Almost,” they had the crowd instantly engaged, with no warm-up required.

Frontman Jaret Reddick led the night like a mix between a frontman and a stand-up comic, blending constant banter with tight pop-punk delivery. The set felt as much like a conversation as it did a performance, with jokes flying between band members and the crowd from start to finish.

During the first song, Jaret welcomed the room with “ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the greatest show you’ll ever see,” and while it landed as a joke, the crowd response suggested otherwise. There was a playful looseness throughout, shouting out to Frank Turner before joking they were already back at the hotel, guiding the crowd through “hands in the air… spirit fingers… okay now jazz hands…” before launching into “Ohio (Come Back to Texas),” and even setting up a perfectly timed “musically enhanced photo op” posing to Tubthumping with beers raised on stage. No one in the room stood still.

However, like the best sets do, it wasn’t all just fun. Slowing things down, Jaret took a moment to speak openly about his own experiences with anxiety and depression, sharing that the band takes time each night to acknowledge the importance of mental health.

“If you’ve ever felt alone, this song is for you. I’m glad you’re here.” What followed was “Turbulence,” with phones lighting up the venue, and the crowd singing back in a way that felt quieter, but heavier. It was one of the few moments in the night where the energy shifted inward, and you could feel the connection and support across the room.

Of course, it didn’t stay there for long. “1985” brought the room straight back into full-volume nostalgia, with the crowd taking over and running with it. By the time the final songs rolled around, the energy was back at full tilt.

Closing things out, Jaret brushed off the goodbye with “I hate to say goodbye… so see ya,” before launching into “Suckerpunch”, complete with what might have been Brisbane’s first ever square pit. Because at that point… why not?

From start to finish, the night balanced three distinct energies without ever feeling disjointed. Talk Heavy set the pace, Frank Turner and The Sleeping Souls brought heart and controlled chaos, and Bowling For Soup delivered pure, unapologetic fun.

A packed room, a loud crowd, and a night that proved live music works best when it lets people feel everything, whether that’s screaming lyrics, laughing through jokes, or standing still for a moment that hits a little deeper. A show you leave with a full heart, a big smile, and a reminder of what live music can do.