Wednesday 11 February
Supports: Avoid (USA), Saving Face, Garden Eyes
Sydney’s Bloom kicked off their tour celebrating The Light We Chase on a balmy Wednesday night in Brisbane. Setting up the scene at venue royalty, Crowbar, I was particularly keen to kick off my gig calendar with this one. Fun fact for this evening: the only band I was familiar before tonight was Bloom. But at the end of the night I was surprised to take away something from each of the bands.
Arriving at the tail end of their set, local boys Garden Eyes got early punters going with their emo/punk blend. Melbourne hardcore newcomers Saving Face took things up a level with the punk, matching this with a hardcore punk ethos that as a first time listener, I was reminded of a very raw Stick To Your Guns. The guitar melodies blooming into fruition was a strong highlight of their performance tonight. Acting kind of as a blank canvas for vocalist Ryan Robb, the band demonstrated melodic hardcore in new evolutionary ways , proving to Brisbane ears that this won’t be the last time we’ll be experiencing them live.
Having only just listened to them on my bus ride into the valley that evening, Seattle hybrid rockers Avoid were something else to experience. This band pair punchy pop chords with raucous breakdowns, without catching too much of a break. Vocalist Benny Scholl acts like the furthest thing from your typical metal frontman but all in good fun, he’s telling us that Avoid are here for a good time.
With boppy tracks like opener ‘Sour Apple‘ and an rnb-infused tune literally titled ‘Song of the Summer‘, that ethos may just give these guys the longevity they need to make it for the long haul. Pop choruses turned into racing circlepits, with the energy consistently dialled to a ten. I personally haven’t had this much fun since last year’s State Champs show. UNFD, please bring these guys back sooner rather than later.
With Avoid being my absolute favourite new band (and it’s only February, 2026), it’s going to be hard to top that set. But I had faith that Bloom could ultimately ride out this evening nicely. Coming into this tour, I did hear that the band’s latest album saw the boys trying new sounds and styles. If you were nervous about how “soft” Bloom have gotten on The Light We Chase, don’t be. The show tonight saw them hitting notes and screams just as hard as they always have.
Insinuating chaos from the get go, the hardcore crew lurched in with ‘Out of Reach’ and in turn, punters in the circle pit ensued. ‘Maybe In Another Life‘ was next level as frontman Jono Hawkey led the band in with unfiltered tenacity. The dark, stringent tones immediately locked in their most devoted fans and the pit became a clear reflection of the power Bloom has grown into over the last few years.
While too much hardcore can be a bit overwhelming for the casual listener, every eye in the room was mesmerised as the grungey undertones of ‘Keep You‘ connected even the most distracted person that night. ‘Only Sky‘ live is a new experience for Bloom fans to dive into. Kicking in with Hawkey’s intense screams before uniting with the rest of the band’s smouldering style of melodic rock and emo, it unfolded into a layered moment that we rarely get to witness from them, but absolutely should more often.
The biggest highlight of the evening, and easily the best way to kick off opening night of tour was inviting Yours Truly frontwoman Mikaila Delgado a guestie on stage during her collab with Bloom, ‘Tongue Tied’. What began as a soulful acoustic tune with vocalist/guitarist Jarod McLaren step forward to give Jono a breather, taking over lead duties with a gentle restraint. Having Mikaila based in Queensland proved a real advantage on a night like this, her warm, invigorating tones washing through the room and filling Crowbar wall to wall with a quiet kind of magic.
Finishing the night off with ‘Withered‘, it was evidently clear to realise the growth and evolution that Bloom have undertaken on The Light We Chase. They are not only a commanding force in Australian melodic hardcore, but a band carving out a trajectory that positions their heavier sound for stages far beyond home soil. As they continue to tour this new record, that momentum feels set to build, their sound reaching wider audiences and their presence strengthening with every show.
Review by Tamara May
Photos by Reece Trudgen
