Windwaker – Gig Review & Photo Gallery 22nd July @ Max Watts, Melbourne VIC

Posted on July 25, 2023 by Tyler Lubke

Windwaker
Max Watts, Melb VIC
July 22, 2023
Supports: Caskets, Alt., and Outloved.

Windwaker have constantly been on the map with new music and killer gigs. The time has come for their next run of headline shows, bringing touring buddies Caskets from the UK for their debut Australian shows, and Adelaide alternative metal sensations Alt. along for the ride. We couldn’t miss out on the sold-out show at Max Watts in Melbourne, seeing as it’s Windwaker’s biggest headliner to date. Local post-rock outfit Outloved were on hand to open up this stellar stop on the Love In The Dark tour.

Outloved kicked off the night with fast-paced emo rock energy. Vocalist Jaydon Colvin maintained an energetic performance throughout, as he and the rest of the band warmed up the audience. Things got a bit heavier when Karl Spiessl fulfilled his feature live on the latest Outloved track ‘Tourniquet‘, and I had a great time singing along to ‘Never Enough‘. Outloved were a fun way to open a solid night.

Alt. turned up the heat by celebrating their culmination of alt-rock and metalcore in their debut album ABEYANCE in addition to 2020 favourites ‘insubordinate‘ and ‘Chasing Safety‘. James Mullins made it clear he was a drummer to be contended with as he directed the band through tracks such as ‘THE GREAT DEPRESSION‘ and ‘A.D.D.‘. Despite vocalist Daniel Cullen-Richards combating illness throughout the set, he still gave an impressive performance across clean vocals and screams alike. I was particularly impressed with how he covered and kept up with Void of Vision vocalist Jack Bergin’s feature on ‘APEP‘. My first impression of Alt. was unforgettable, and I was stoked to see the hype was real even in unfortunate circumstances for Daniel.

Melbourne welcomed Caskets in style, with a rousing chorus of voices singing throughout the set and the first crowd surfers of the night making their appearance. ‘More Than Misery‘ from the upcoming album Reflections had its time on stage, alongside long-term fan favourites. The band told us themselves that ‘Lost in Echoes‘ in particular is a favourite live for the crowd and band alike, and this show was no different. The passion in the room was palpable, and climaxed with the anticipated performances of ‘Falling Apart‘ and ‘Glass Hearts‘. The smiles on everyone’s faces were incredibly heartwarming, and I instantly became a fan despite not hearing of Caskets before this tour. Caskets’ debut in Australia has been nothing short of spectacular, and it’s only a matter of time before a well-received welcome such as this incentivises continued visits to our cities.

Windwaker took to the stage and captivated immediately with a heavier rendition of ‘Superstitious Fantasy‘. This opener is such a fantastic showcase of vocalist Liam Guinane’s range, ensuring that roaring lows and belting highs invigorated the room. My favourite song ‘Lucy’ was delivered so perfectly live, I was so happy to be in that room and the smiles on Windwaker’s faces complimented the vibes. This tour allowed for the live debut of some newly released tracks such as ‘Left in the Dark‘, where synth specialist Connor Robins thrived while adding live effects with precise timing. Guitarist Jesse Crofts and drummer Chris Lalic shined during ‘Trenches‘, a hard and heavy track that earned a well-deserved rowdy response. Liam shared some vocal duties here or there with bassist Indey Salvestro, allowing for a complete and powerful performance throughout the set. The room exploded with the latest release ‘SIRENS‘ getting it’s time on stage, and I couldn’t help but think that the future of Windwaker’s live shows is brighter than ever. My favourite moment of the entire evening, however, was when ‘Love Language‘ was played. I was so affected by Liam’s voice, I couldn’t help but cry a river as I sang along. I could feel the emotion in the air as he was joined by the rest of the band. Jesse took care during his solo and I felt so affected being right in front of him on the barrier. Soon after, the show was over and I was completely blown away.

The lineup for Windwaker’s Love In The Dark Tour was so well put together. Outloved started the feels and bops nice and early, Alt. demonstrated perseverance and professionalism despite illness, and Caskets received an inspiring welcome for their debut Melbourne performance. Windwaker put on a spectacle of a show for their biggest sold-out headliner yet. They will be selling out bigger venues no doubt, and as their catalogue and live experience grows, they will continue to be a staple of the Australian music scene.

Written by Tyler Lubke.

Photo Gallery by Clinton Hatfield. Insta: @ampd.agency.
Please credit Wall of Sound and Clinton Hatfield if you report photos.

Outloved