Coinciding with the release of their new album MajorDomo, Teenage Dads kicked off their Aussie tour in the River City this past Friday at The Tivoli. I have a special place in my heart for The Tivoli, the 1500-seat venue nestled in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley. The venue’s intimacy always highlights how powerful live music can be when it’s close enough to touch. It’s even more exhilarating when a band like Teenage Dads reminds you in the moment that with their trajectory, you might never experience them in such a setting again.
The excitement was palpable as the venue quickly filled with eager fans treated to a new album that day. Not long after securing our spots, we were greeted by Adelaide singer-songwriter aleksiah. Draped in a tartan skirt and wielding a heart-shaped guitar, she quickly won over the crowd with her energetic declaration, “Let’s fucking rock!” The Adelaide four-piece delighted with their blend of indie rock and self-deprecating humor. Songs like “Clothes Off” and “Batshit” had the crowd rocking, while their cover of “In The Summertime” by fellow Aussie band Thirsty Merc brought everyone together for a high-energy singalong. I’m looking forward to returning the favor in November, hopefully with some of their original tracks memorized to sing along.
Next up was the captivating Melbourne singer-songwriter Phoebe Go, who graced the stage with a selection of songs from her excellent album Marmalade. While her performance was engaging and her voice compelling, some sound issues marred the set at times. Both her electric and acoustic guitars, along with some backing tracks, seemed to fade out of the mix from where I was standing. Despite this, Go delivered a strong set that surely won her some new fans.
After a 45-minute interlude, the main act finally arrived. With confident swagger and infectious energy, Teenage Dads took to the stage. They kicked off their monstrous 22-song set with “Weaponz” from their newly released album. The first thing I noticed was how tight the band was. Despite the complex and busy production of many of their songs, they delivered a polished performance for tracks that haven’t been extensively toured yet. This was a testament to both the venue’s engineers and the band’s professionalism; they sounded fantastic.
Blending a mix of old favorites and new hits, I was thrilled that the new album was played in full throughout the night. New releases like “Speedracer” and “Boyfriend” earned cheers from the crowd, while fan favorites “Midnight Driving” and “Teddy” had everyone singing along. A standout moment was their cover of “Video Killed the Radio Star” by The Buggles, a well performed nod to their new wave and indie influences.
The band’s charisma was also a highlight, as they took plenty of time to engage the crowd between songs. Jordan Finlay proved an effortless ringmaster, juggling singing, keyboards and guitar duties while delivering dad jokes and awkward dance moves in between. Bassist Angus Christie was a magnetic showman on the bass and mic while Vincent Kinna’s hard driving drumming put holes in my chest. Guitarist Connor McLaughlin, though mostly obscured by a pylon from my view, delivered impressive solos in his many ventures across the stage.
Towards the end of the night, Jordy began to lose his voice, but it was only noticeable in his between-song banter. Sipping on tea and pulling a few grimaces, his vocal performance remained strong for the remaining six or so songs. An endearing display, despite his vocal struggles he gave it his all, and an early finish wouldn’t have disappointed anyone who already felt they’d received their money’s worth. The band appeared to appreciate and reciprocate the crowds love and enjoyment for the band, announcing it “might be the best gig they’ve played”.
Assuring the crowd that they weren’t doing the traditional encore, Jordy announced they’d be back for a “costume change.” Returning in pirate regalia, the band performed “A Day in the Life of a No Good Pirate” the final track on MajorDomo, eliciting laughs and singalongs. Closing with “Speedracer,” the crowd was thoroughly satisfied.
Overall, Teenage Dads delivered a dynamic and memorable performance that proved their outstanding musicianship isn’t locked in the vinyl pressings and digital 0’s and 1’s of streaming services: they sound better live. On the contrary, the bands infectious energy and charisma is something that can only be enjoyed in its purest form from the general admissions or mezzanine of your local venue.
The Tivoli provided the perfect backdrop for an evening filled with great music from the main act and both Aleksiah and Phoebe Go. Teenage Dads’ blend of new hits and fan favorites, coupled with their engaging stage presence, made for a night that will be hard to forget. As they continue to rise, this show was certainly a testament to their ability to exceed potential and for fans to experience the magic in an intimate setting before larger venues come calling. Put Teenage Dads tour dates on your calendar, you won’t want to miss it.
FIVE STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Photos courtesy of Emma Belas – you can see more of Emma’s photos from the night HERE
You can read Pace’s review of MajorDomo HERE
Teenage Dads are on tour throughout Australia on the following dates:
