Review and photography: Nate Rose
The Good Things Festival is only days away from kicking off, and we are treated to the first of many sideshows tonight at The Tivoli in Brisbane, an iconic venue known for its intimate atmosphere and rich acoustics.
Last night, it played host to a triumphant return from The Gaslight Anthem on a warm Monday night. With a mix of nostalgia and palpable energy, the New Jersey-based band brought their raw, anthemic rock sound to a crowd hungry for their brand of heartland punk and Americana.
First, Brisbane’s own Emmy Hour from The Cutaways was up to the task of warming up the crowd. It was clear that Emmy is a hometown favorite, with the crowd clapping along to her acoustic songs and giving big cheers of approval after each performance.
Emmy’s tunes came across as sincere and heartwarming, and she engaged with the crowd between songs.
“My setlist is a bit all over the place, but I think I’m gonna tone it down a bit and mix it up,” Emmy declared as she took her spot on a stool.
“I feel like I should be in a black-and-white film clip,” she said before dedicating a song called “Hallway,” which she wrote for her son with autism, and what a beautiful song it was.
Emmy’s set was an emotional ride and one of the most heartfelt sets I have witnessed. If you have never seen Emmy Hour or The Cutaways before, please make sure to change that and check out a show.
As the lights of The Tivoli dimmed, the INXS classic “Never Tear Us Apart” blared over the PA as Brian Fallon and co. took the stage. The set kicked off with “Great Expectations” from their 2009 hit album The ’59 Sound, instantly setting the tone for a night of both old and new favorites like “Blue Jeans & White T-Shirts.”
Frontman Brian Fallon, with his signature gravelly vocals, was in top form, but his usual conversational style was missing tonight, as it seemed the band wanted to showcase as many songs as possible. The only banter for the whole night came early in the set, as he chatted about Australian spiders and having Thanksgiving with his uncle—or as Brian likes to call it, “Murder Day with food,” referring to America’s bloody history behind the Thanksgiving holiday.
From there, The Gaslight Anthem steamrolled from song to song, with the crowd responding enthusiastically, singing along to classics like “American Slang” and “Howl.”
The balance between the soaring energy of their upbeat tracks and the emotional weight of their more introspective songs like “Mae” created a dynamic performance that felt both personal and epic in scale.
Musically, the band was super tight—Alex Rosamilia’s guitar work was sharp and melodic, while Benny Horowitz’s drumming provided a punch that kept the rhythms driving forward. The rhythm section, especially bassist Alex Levine, was locked in, giving the sound a solid backbone, especially during the high-energy moments like “45” and “The ’59 Sound.”
The Gaslight Anthem‘s return to Brisbane after almost 10 years was a reminder of their place in the pantheon of modern rock. With their signature blend of youthful energy and adult reflection, they proved once again why they remain one of the most compelling live acts in the genre.
THE GASLIGHT ANTHEM
Wednesday 4 December – Croxton Bandroom, Melbourne *Sold Out*
GOOD THINGS FESTIVAL 2024
Friday 6 December – Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne (15+)
Saturday 7 December – Centennial Park, Sydney (16+)
Sunday 8 December – Brisbane Showgrounds, Brisbane (15+)
Tickets on sale now at http://goodthings.oztix.com.
– GALLERY –
