Melbourne’s beloved Slowly Slowly took to the stage at Margaret Court Arena on Saturday night to deliver a performance that will go down in the band’s history. This show marked a huge milestone for the group- their first ever headliner at an arena, and in their hometown no less. Joining them were Philly boys Greyscale and US pop-rock band Honey Revenge. It was a super fun night of stellar pop-punk and rock, and Melbourne definitely showed up to throw its support behind the local heroes.
The entire arena was general admission, an interesting choice that made more sense as the venue filled. Concert-goers could choose to sit in the stands or head down to the floor, which made for a lot of empty seats but also offered the freedom to take a breather if the pit felt like too much. The real energy was down front though, and it felt like one big party from the get-go.
Greyscale kicked off the evening, and while the arena wasn’t full yet they drew in a decent crowd and delivered a wonderful set. There wasn’t much in the way of crowd interaction or banter, but the music spoke for itself. As a long-time fan, it was genuinely special to see them play their first show in Melbourne.
That said, the theatrics of the evening left a bit to be desired. There were multiple sound issues throughout the night, and the lighting stayed quite dim, which was especially noticeable during Greyscale’s set.
Honey Revenge were a burst of energy. The crowd was clearly familiar with them, and their unique blend of sugar pop and pop-punk made for a really fun live experience. Lead singer Devon Papadol’s vocals were stunning, and I’m so glad that this show put them on my radar.
As the lights dimmed and the pre-show playlist cut out, cheers began, only for the pre-show playlist to accidentally start playing again before cutting out. It was a small glitch, but one of the several technical hiccups that occurred that night- but it gave the audience a little laugh, and then we were right back to cheering as Slowly Slowly took the stage.
The energy on the floor was unreal. It wasn’t rough but was more like a huge dance party. They opened their set with “Blueprint”, the perfect tone-setter. Every member came out firing, feeding off the crowd’s energy and revelling in every glorious moment of their first arena headliner. Frontman Ben Stewart’s stage presence is always impeccable, but seeing him on that giant stage felt unlike any other time I’d seen them. There’s something so magnetic and infectious about the way he moves, and his vocals carried such warmth and passion. Before the first song was even over, he was dripping with sweat, which speaks volumes about his energy on stage.
Tracks from their 2025 record Forgiving Spree were met with loud cheers and enthusiastic singalongs. “Gimme The Wrench” was a standout- a song I’ve always loved, but live, it hit different. Melbournians were treated to “Creature of Habit Pt. 2” from their debut album Race Car Blues, a surprise addition that wasn’t part of their earlier setlist on this tour. James Karagiozis (formerly of Between You and Me, now with Bukowski) jumped on stage for this one and the room exploded. It added a fresh layer of excitement to an already electric atmosphere.
At one point, Stewart took a moment to sincerely thank the crowd, emphasising how much this show meant to them, before launching into “Forgiving Spree”- another major highlight. “Meltdown Masquerade”, “Ten Leaf Clover” and “God” were all notable highlights, with the crowd grooving throughout. The encore consisted of their biggest hit “Jellyfish” before closing with “Race Car Blues”, and though there were no surprises there these songs are always so fun and in such a big venue they really went off.
Slowly Slowly were clearly overwhelmed with gratitude. To be playing their first headlining arena show, and to do it in Melbourne, made it all the more special. Every band member brought unwavering energy, soaking up the love from the crowd and giving it right back. It genuinely felt like a massive celebration. While the older songs were huge crowd-pleasers, I found myself gravitating toward the newer material, which felt so fresh, confident and full of heart. Sure, there were a few technical hiccups, and not everything went off perfectly, but in a way it added to the charm. It still felt intimate, like we were all part of something truly meaningful. In the end, that’s what made it unforgettable.
FOUR STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
The reviewer attended this show on 12th April, 2025
