Saturday 25 January
Supports: Poppy, House of Protection
If last night was anything to go by, then god damn — 2025 is going to classified as the year of the BIG tours. US metalcore outfit Bad Omens finally brought their headline show to Brisbane’s Riverstage and fans came in droves to witness the band in all their glory whilst delivering their biggest headline show of their career thus far.
Kicking off the evening was LA alternative/metal sensations House of Protection and straight from the getgo, this duo were fired-up and rearing to let loose. The energy that emanated from the stage was contagious as guitarist/vocalist Stephen Harrison powered through hit track ‘Pulling Teeth’. Feeding off of the excitement of the crowd in front of him, things only intensified as Harrison joined the moshpit second song in. But that wasn’t enough. He went where no opening act has gone before and ran up the grassy slopes of the Riverstage, climbing the roof of the disability access tent and sung their track ‘Better Off’. It was evident right then and there that this act were made for big arena-sized stages.
Honestly? It didn’t matter if you were familiar with the band or not. House of Protection delivered one of the best openers I’ve witnessed and I can guarantee that the next time they return to Australia, it’ll be their own show.
Leaving fans from every corner of the venue salivating for more, alt/pop songstress Poppy was up next. In only her second time in town since her appearance on 2019’s edition of Good Things Festival, Poppy took to the Riverstage and had most of the audience mesmerised and in a trance. As her vocals moved effortlessly from sultry pop to ravashing, dangerous metal you’d be hard to believe those growls came from a female. She powered through some of her strongest tracks on the LP, I Disagree, begging the pit for a Wall of Death until those keen enough finally gave in. I mean, how could you not? Poppy’s demeanour on stage is haunting and cute all at once. You can’t help but adore the aura she brings to a metal show.
While The Riverstage is undeniably one of the best stages in Brisbane, there is one thing I absolute despise — how much standing on the slope brings pain to your knees and ankles. With a good half hour before Bad Omens took to the stage, we allowed our legs to get some relief by finding a spot to sit amidst the heavily packed out venue.
As the lights began to dim and emit an eerie reddish tinge over the slopes of the riverstage, the pit packed it all in and got their moshing feet ready. The slow, pulsing beat of ‘Concrete Jungle’ kicked things into gear gradually as vocalist Noah Sebastian performed with dynamic passion. Honestly, his energy was relentless and the transitions between each song were seamless. Between emotionally-driven lyricism and punchy and powerful metal riffs, Bad Omens showed off just how much of a dominant force they’ve become in contempoary metalcore today.
The glistening backdrops of each track put us all in an absolute trance. Last year’s massive collaboration with Poppy, ‘V.A.N.’ gave off hypnotic, cyber punk vibes straight from the underground. Golden glows emanated from the cylinder structure besides drummer Nick Folio were also deemed centrepieces as they highlighted post apocalyptic buildings – maybe it’s just me because I’ve been playing a shit tonne of Borderlands 3 lately, but I felt like I’d just time travelled to Sanctuary.
The band gave us the headline tour we’ve been dreaming of since witnessing them live on Knotfest back in 2022. They dropped their debut track ‘Glass Houses’ and played an electrifying performance of hit anthem ‘Limits’. Given this has been a song I’ve been playing ever since I became a Bad Omens fan, hearing that defiant riff blare out over the speakers against Noah’s empowering words was enough to give this show toptier status in 2025.
Completing the night with a magical acoustic rendition of the band’s most viral track ‘Just Pretend’, they disappeared off stage only to allow fans call out for one last song. If you know, you know. ‘Dethrone’ gave us the astronomical breakdown of the night and allowed moshpitters one final moment of glory in that sweatfest.
Bad Omens tonight was everything we needed from a concert and so much more. I can honestly say that was one of the most enjoyable metalcore performances I have ever witnessed and tonight proved how they’re a force to be reckoned with in the industry. I’m sure like many others, Australia cannot wait for the return of Bad Omens.
Review By Tamara May
