LIVE REVIEW: TAYLOR ACORN + ARROWS IN ACTION @ THE TRIFFID 03/03/26

Words by Cecilia Pattison-Levi

The night saw ‘beatlesque’ screaming, synchronised dance moves and bras being thrown onto The Triffid’s stage! The sold-out and packed to the rafters’ crowd were at The Triffid to see Arrows In Action and Taylor Acorn and her band. This tour is a celebration of Taylor Acorn’s new album ‘Poster Child’ and Arrows In Action’s latest release ‘I Think I’ve Been Here Before’. The night was a euphoric mix of joyous anthems, lyrical honesty, and unshakable hooks.

The evening commenced with an eleven-song set from Nashville based band Arrows In Action. The band, consisting of lead singer Victor Viramontes-Pattison, guitarist Matt Fowler, and drummer Jesse Frimmel absolutely nailed it! This band is one of the best support acts I have seen. Arrows In Action charmed with their irresistible, dazzling pop-rock from the first chord of ‘Empty Canvas’.

The whole crowd was hooked as ‘Light Like You’, ‘Put You Through Me’ and ‘High’ were delivered with energy. Arrows In Action’s setlist was amazing as it moderated the dynamic high action songs with a mid-tempo track rich in melody in ‘Head In The Clouds’ and a new song was debuted, ‘Stop Talking’. The crowd could feel the passion the band has for performing and how genuinely excited they were to give them a memorable experience.

The drummer, Jesse Frimmel, came out from behind the kit to sing and lead a perfectly synced stomp, with clap routine. He praised the Brisbane crowd for their rhythm and ability to follow instructions. Then, the band returned to a high energy sing along version of ‘Uncomfortably Numb’ and it was followed by ‘All The Ways I Could Die’. The venue went off! The energy was pumping and you could feel everyone getting even more excited.

Then Arrows In Action’s closed out with ‘Over it/Beautiful Soul’ and the poptastic ‘Cheekbones’. They really set the bar high for Taylor Acorn to jump. Their set really hit the target and it was bull’s eye… Arrows In Action is a band set for bigger crowds and big venues. Outstanding!

Taylor Acorn was unwell and suffering from allergies but this did not stop her from delivering a fantastic performance. She lit it up like a firework. Taylor Acorn and her band delivered a 100% effort to give the crowd an unforgettable night of her music. She had brought a crowd of varying individuals, all united in a single room for one thing, to hear her. The crowd responded to her songs by singing along at full volume. They realised that Taylor Acorn was struggling with illness and their engagement helped her out and supported her with a positive explosion of energy.

Taylor Acorn arrived onto the bare stage with the kind of poise you only get from being fast on her feet, fully present, voice locked in as she delivered ‘Poster Child’ and ‘People Pleaser’. The new material from ‘Poster Child’ hit hard before the older song ‘I Think I'm In Love’ was performed. Taylor Acorn’s songs lean into what made early-2000s pop punk feel like community: sky high choruses, call and answer lines, and melodic turns that feel inevitable the second time you hear them.

The energy in The Triffid exploded. Then, the strongest songs of the set hit in ‘Coma’, the terrific ‘Blood On Your Hands’ and the fabulous ‘Cheap Dopamine’. Visually, the whole band (Ethan Harb and Ricky Jab) was a control chaos and wild to watch. Ricky Jab and his guitar spun and engaged like a spinning wheel as the band performed ‘Goodbye, Good Riddance’ and a new song ‘Burning House’. Their energy was high and chaotic.

Then, Taylor Acorn switched it up with the pop-rock ballad ‘Home Videos’ where she started without her guitar. Her acoustic guitar was given to her half way through the affecting song. She was unwell but still playing her best. Then, the huge fan favourite song ‘Crashing Out’ from ‘Poster Girl’ was performed. Then, ‘Hangman’ and the older song much loved by fans ‘Greener’ followed.

The energy hit peak levels with ‘Birds Still Sing’ and it closed out the regulation set. Taylor Acorn was overwhelmed with the love in the room and with us fans – “a world away from the US – likes my songs and sees me,” as she shed a tear.

Taylor Acorn and her tight band left the stage. The venue went black and the screams, clapping and yelling called to the band for an encore. The lights went up, the band returned, the first notes of ‘Shapeshifting’ started. The energy flowed and then the huge sing along of ‘Psycho’ was next. It closed out the evening.

Taylor Acorn demonstrated that if 2024’s ‘Survival in Motion’ was her calling card, then ‘Poster Child’ opened the door. I have seen Taylor Acorn four times live in Australia over the past few years and she is just getting better and better. She is a musician you should know, and go and see her, as she is magnificent live.

The concert from Arrows In Action and Taylor Acorn was confident and cathartic with a personal touch. Taylor Acorn showed that pop punk can grow up and change without losing its bite: in fun and catharsis. With a magnetic stage presence and unrivalled energy, she delivered an electric show to an adoring crowd.