You Me At Six - Gig Review & Photo Gallery 14th July @ UNSW Roundhouse, Syd NSW
You Me At Six
UNSW Roundhouse, Sydney NSW
July 14, 2023
Supports: Set It Off and Between You & Me
In 2019, You Me At Six conjured a spectacle as they graced our shores, alongside fellow British legends Bring Me The Horizon, in some of Australia’s largest arenas. With power and conviction in their craft, they left much to be desired after proving their worth within their small opening slot. Now, in 2023, and two uncelebrated albums under their belt, the Surrey sweethearts returned with a showstopping night of professionalism, infectious energy, and what seemed like a never-ending set that filled the void of their four-year disappearance. With even more gifts to bear, the night provided two more lots of talent: the ever-flamboyant Set It Off, and local legends Between You & Me. Unashamed in celebrating their new sounds and styles, You Me At Six honed in heavily on the identity that now represents them- one that is laced with a sense of truthfulness, assuredness, and a warmth of hope- pouring these feelings into the crowd and creating a space of enjoyment and connection for all those around. More so, the night was a palpable celebration of the career-defining moments of You Me At Six and their undying love for our little Sydney.
If there is one thing the Roundhouse should be commended for, it should be its incredible pre-show playlist, warming up the crowd before any real instruments took the stage with a mix of emo bangers and eclectic indie tunes. But the first volume reduction to this queued mix allowed me to be met with what I was personally looking forward to the most, Melbourne pop-punk princes, Between You & Me. Whether it be a significant stage like the Roundhouse, or a crammed singular floorboard, BYAM not only consumes the space with energy, but projects out to the crowd surrounding them. It then becomes the audience's job to reciprocate and feedback to them. Testament to their unhinged and down-to-earth personas, although the circle (pit) was small, every Between You & Me fan that crowded the space was filled with an undying adoration unphased by passing looks or a surrounding respectful, but somewhat still, crowd. Charging out of the gates with one of their biggest hits ‘Dakota’, the stage was set for their short, but punchy, set. Loud, spirited, and tongue-in-cheek, their performance style translates all the way to their stage presence - one which embodies that of equals, as if the crowd was sharing the stage with them - and this feeling is not too far from the truth. As always, BYAM stormed the crowd during their final song, ‘Deadbeat’. Strapped with body cams, and armed with long mic cords, both JT and Bassy say their prayers and throw themselves into the crowd for a minute of reckless shoving and necessary moshing. With gradual crowd involvement coming to its pinnacle at this moment, ‘Deadbeat’ warms up the crowd with ease and loosens up the room. Celebrating their latest album Armageddon, and employing the help of apt special guests like Mikaila Delgado from Yours Truly (cough, cough ‘Hallucinate’), Between You & Me put their best foot forward, pouring energy, lightheartedness and of course, iconic tunes into the venue. More so, they were an exceptional beacon of Australian talent among this imported lineup, proving that you don’t have to look hard to find great music.
Following our local faves were U.S boys Set It Off. Theatrical and expressive, their set was certainly one not to be missed. I found my face constantly evolving to that of a wider and wider jaw drop with every expectation exceeded, and every imaginable thought of what their performance could be being left in the dirt. Opening with ‘Wolf In Sheep’s Clothing’, it was beyond noticeable that a large portion of the crowd, particularly those who indulged in their VIP session, were here for this band. With many faces screaming the fable-inspired lyrics, it was somewhat endearing to hear the slight snarkiness of everyone in the room repeating back the words. There truly was never a dull moment in Set It Off’s time on stage; from saxophones, drummer and singer swaps, and even a choreographed Backstreet Boys interpolation, I couldn’t help to find myself smiling at the shenanigans, but more so, the noticeable energy that radiated from the moment the band stepped on stage. And this energy was hard not to capture purely due to Set It Off’s alluring nature on stage. Beyond a physical scape in the moments, Cody Carson soared over the crowd, but through the passion, and even at times tongue-in-cheek crowd moments, the band consistently engaged with the room around them in an indescribable way. Clearly, it translates into a flurry of adoring fans who filled the room with an anthemic roar at every moment; and not just singing either, we’re talking about bars! With a pretty diverse setlist, it was easy to enjoy even as the most casual of listeners, and quickly became a conversion attempt into becoming a fan. What was never astray in this set was that of interaction and the insistence of their gratitude for the space surrounding them. Hearing their pride and yells away from the microphone became a tangible representation of their need to perform, their desire to entertain, and more so, the strong ability to complete these two feats with ease. As ‘Punching Bag’ concluded their set, it is safe to say the crowd was incredibly warmed up.
As red lighting captured the room and an always welcomed sing-along to The Killers classic ‘Mr. Brightside’ faded out, it was finally time for You Me At Six to mark their triumphant return back to Sydney soil. Marching on stage with an assuredness only found in a band like themselves, they immediately hopped into action. Inviting us into the world of Truth Decay, ‘Deep Cuts’ opened the night in a reflective and dedicatory way, allowing space for the band’s latest album to flourish, even when so much was left to be explored. What You Me At Six’s performance immediately showcased was their years of showmanship and professionalism. There was no need for warming up as both vocals and instrumentals glided through the crowd of roaring fans.
After four songs, the playful characters took a moment to properly introduce themselves to the crowd with a warmth that felt like a tight hug wrapping around the Roundhouse’s dome-like stature. So too, this moment of introduction gave the band an opportunity to talk about their intentions for the night. Of course, this lay primarily in showcasing Truth Decay and SUCKAPUNCH, respective releases between their last visit. However, it was also a night dedicated to their journey- and has it been a wild one. One of the most impressive things about this band is the duality of their catalogue. From heavy belters in Sinners Never Sleep to pop perfection in Truth Decay, they have truly mastered the implementation of their identity, crafting a signature sound, even in varying genres. However, my only personal issue of the night was the lack of songs from IV presented to us, but of course, covering such a large discography is always going to lead to aspects of fan disappointment. Not to push aside the tracks that made them, this introduction was placed right before the rageful ‘Bite My Tongue’ (featuring Oli Sykes). For the first, but certainly not last time, the pit opened up and swallowed humans whole in a flurry of screams and swift movements to raise to any higher level. Being in the centre and screaming Oli’s verse was nothing short of cathartic, and was a release of pent-up frustrations for many in the building.
Among the brutal was also the beautiful, with songs like ‘Take On The World’ conjuring a tear from most in the building. Dedicated to the LGBTQ+ community, the track presented one of the many opportunities for the band to discuss their alignments and concerns regarding the nature of the world we live in. Thus, their performance became not only reflections of their shared band identity, but the powerful vessel their music acts as within the enduring fights for commonality, acceptance and understanding. Another memorable moment was the band’s discussion of the notion of boys becoming men, and the ramifications of displaying emotion in a desensitized world. These words rang true and attempted to escape the cliche band talk for a real moment of connection with their audience.
Of course, what Australian show would it be without the classic shoey- an act that frontman Josh Franceschi claims to hate, but has certainly done a lot. However, the patriotism did not stop there. After gushing over Sydney, their four-song encore was largely taken up by chants of “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie! Oi, Oi, Oi”. A simple phrase the band seemed to indulge in. Although all fun and apt, You Me At Six’s genuine love of the country prevailed throughout every track, and delivered a performance that seemed like everything was truly left out on that stage. In a way, the band made it seem like seventeen songs was really forty - an enduring treat that seemed to be savoured in the night’s palpable connection and mutual inability to let each other go.
Regardless of what the future holds for You Me At Six, it is clear that they have well asserted their place as scene legends. Comfortable in their changes and confident in their evolving choices, surrounding them is an air of untouchableness creatively, but approachableness toward those who consume their craft. With well selected guests in the form of Set It Off and Between You & Me, the night was one of artistry, connection, and just a genuinely good time. The energy that radiated from the stage on all three occasions created an audience feeling that was truly just so warm. The Truth Decay tour was well worth the wait!
Gig Review by Georgia Haskins @ghaskins2002
Photo Gallery by Renae Egan. Follow Renae on Facebook and Instagram.
Please credit Wall of Sound and Renae Egan if you repost.
Between You & Me
Set It Off
You Me At Six
