LIVE REVIEW: THE SPILL CANVAS + THE JULIANA THEORY @ THE TRIFFID 20/07/25

Words by Cecilia Pattison-Levi. Photos Reece Trudgen

The Juliana Theory and The Spill Canvas put on a fantastic double headed gig at The Triffid in Brisbane. There were ‘hot’ sexy bassists, fantastic flamboyant frontmen with terrific vocals, awesome jumping and energetic guitarists and powerful drummers.

Both bands came to The Triffid as a double bill to play and celebrate the anniversaries of their important albums: The Spill Canvas’s second album 2005’s ‘One Fell Swoop’ and The Juliana Theory's debut album 2000’s classic ‘Emotion Is Dead’. This pairing of bands was a dream line-up for emo and indie-rock fans. Even though it was a Sunday winters evening in Brisbane, The Triffid was buzzing with anticipation. 

The Juliana Theory were on stage first. I am a huge fan of their ‘Emotion Is Dead’ album and it was a joy to hear it. They delivered a focused and tight set. They commenced with the opening song ‘Into The Dark’ and the fans in the room were loving it.

The Juliana Theory are a band that were way ahead of their time. When ‘Emotion Is Dead’ came out in the year 2000, the album incorporated so many different elements into their music that they offered so much more than the pop-punk music of their peers at the time. The Juliana Theory blended heavy songs, slow songs, pop songs, and even instrumental techno-like songs into their musical soundscape. It was great that the band members: Brett Detar (vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards, programming), Joshua Fiedler (lead guitar, backing vocals), Joshua Kosker (rhythm and lead guitar, backing vocals), Ryan Seaman (drums) and Chad Allan (bass) brought the album to life. 

By the second song ‘Don't Push Love Away’, The Juliana Theory’s sweeping music and band interactions had well and truly kicked off. The crowd was told off for being ‘polite’: “Can you be quiet?” stated Brett Detar. Then, the crowd who were awed after 22 years to the seeing the band back in Australia started to speak up. Comments were made about trouser tightness in the past. What Brisbane was like 22 years ago with no real internet and band members fighting to get to payphones as mobile connections were sketchy at best.

The Juliana Theory, then, got the crowd to sing along with ‘To The Tune of 5,000 Screaming Children’ as their jangly and chiming guitars kicked in with the passionate vocals and swinging microphone. The sound around the venue was awesome as the band delivered a sonic soundscape between post-hardcore and cinematic alternative indie-rock. The songs keep coming especially with the lovely stand out song ‘Is Patience Still Waiting?’, followed by ‘Emotion Is Dead Pt. I’ and the massive sing along moment of ‘If I Told You This Was Killing Me, Would You Stop?’.

The crowd were engrossed! And, awed. Emotions were stirred as fans were transported back in time. And, it didn’t seem possible but The Juliana Theory were half way through the album. Then, the songs ‘We're Nothing Without You’, ‘Something Isn't Right Here’ and ‘Understand The Dream Is Over’ followed. Then, the final part of the album was played with ‘This Is Your Life’ and ‘You Always Say Goodnight, Goodnight’ closing out the set as the guys left the stage to signal that the album had been delivered.

The Juliana Theory, returned to the stage and played a fantastic five song encore that the crowd, and especially hard-core fans adored, as the crowd called out for the song ‘Duane Joseph’. Brett Detar played with people saying “Oh..we don’t do that song anymore” as the band played chords from another song before switching and delivering ‘Duane Joseph’. Then, the songs ‘Do You Believe Me?’ and ‘Bring It Low’ were delivered. Then, the crowd sand along to “the happiest song on Earth” that is in “every violent or murder scene around the early 2000s” with the sing along moment ‘We're At The Top Of The World’.

The Juliana Theory closed out their set with the brilliant ‘Constellation’. The band had delivered a dazzling set with energy and passion even if they “don’t know the day, the time, or where they are” – the crowd stated: “Welcome to Australia”.

After a short and fast stage re-arrange of instruments, and pedal and guitar effects boxes, were changed. The members of Spill Canvas: Nick Thomas (lead vocals, guitar), Landon Heil (bass), Evan Pharmakis (guitar, backing vocals) and Chris Campbell (drums) walked on to the stage to Kylie Minogue’s ‘Can’t Get You Out Of My Head’.

The Spill Canvas were brand new to The Triffid’s stage for their first ever performance in Brisbane. It’s been over 20 years since the band formed and it’s been 20 years since 2005’s ‘One Fell Swoop’ was released. And the joy they brought to the stage and fans through jet lag and sickness was amazing. They wasted no time reminding the crowd why their name still carries weight in emo and indie-rock circles.

The Spill Canvas is an American alternative rock band known for their emo and indie rock sound. They have been touring for over two decades, but have never come to Australia before and they are here playing for the first time.  It was quite a moment for their Brisbane fans as The Spill Canvas commenced playing ‘Lust a Prima Vista’ and it was cue singing along as the song rang out around the venue. Then, the songs ‘Staplegunned’, and the band’s biggest songs from the album ‘Polygraph, Right Now!’ and ‘Dutch Courage’ were delivered, and both songs still have that emotional resonance.

In between these two songs, the crowd and band did the photo op. And, then arms were back in the air, and like Brisbane crowds do – the sing along with style – was underway. The Spill Canvas exploded with the raw, honest and emotional content with the songs ‘Natalie Marie And 1cc’, ‘Teleport: A & B’, ‘This Is for Keeps’ and ‘Himerus and Eros’.

Nick Thomas was authentic, funny and opened up about his struggles and the inspiration behind writing these songs be it relationship break downs, “when he was a horny youngster” or his own mental health struggles. The crowd were receptive and appreciated the reflections. His vulnerability in such an intimate venue created a real genuine connection to the fans.

The Spill Canvas also sounded great. The band are real masters of their instruments. The last clutch of songs ‘Break A Leg’, ‘Secret Oath’, ‘Valiant’ and ‘Bound To Happen’ have the crowd spellbound at the band’s with full-hearted intensity. The sing along moments just kept coming as the crowd filled in for Nick Thomas when his throat needed a break. There was lots of love in the venue for this band.

The Spill Canvas finished out the main set with ‘Self- Conclusion’, before they came back and gave the crowd an encore performance with a solo song by Nick Thomas before the band joined him back on stage to play ‘All Over You’ and ‘All Hail The Heartbreaker’. The crowd give the band a rousing ovation for what was truly a captivating performance.

There was no need for ‘nostalgia baiting’ here—what the bands delivered was their music and songs that were emotive, authentic and enduring. Not only were their songs good, but their stage presence was awesome. The Juliana Theory were clearly aware of their album’s impact and legacy. The Spill Canvas absolutely crushed their set and brought a genuine catharsis to the crowd.

As the crowd filtered out of The Triffid and into the night, ready for a new working week, they praised both band’s passionate performances and the connections they created. It was just an awesome night of alternative rock music with integrity!

View our gallery from the night here.