Columbus - Gig Review & Photo Gallery, 9th April @ Crowbar, Sydney NSW
Columbus
Saturday 9th April 2022
Crowbar, Sydney NSW
Supports: Reside and Bellwether
Although they just released a killer new EP Driving in the Dark this year, Australian pop punks Columbus are calling it a day. At least they're finishing things on a high note, with a final run of shows across Australia's east coast for the fans. With Reside and Sydney newcomers Bellwether in tow, the Driving in the Dark tour kicked off spectacularly in Sydney, teasing the atmosphere for the whole tour.
Bringing in the right amount of energy for the night ahead was an upcoming act who, just over 24 hours ago released their debut EP, Impermanence. Bellwether materialized onto the Crowbar stage showing much enthusiasm by striking chords of fun with their tight setlist of tracks, with songs like 'Halfway Happy' and newest track 'Kaiba'. If playing their third show for Columbus' final Sydney show was a sign of anything, it's that these pop punkers are very much on their way towards filling in the shoes that Columbus are leaving behind. These kids are on fire — anthems like 'Shortsighted' prove hard to shake off post-gig.
I've had the pleasure of witnessing Reside in a live setting a few times over the past year, but tonight these boys really stepped up their game. Frontman Liam Guinane has embraced the centre stage so naturally and his energy there is a vibe. While the band looked ever so intimidating on stage, their groovy emo/rock stance captivated the audience immensely. The band kicked in with 'The Light That I Found' and their overzealous brand of emo/rock, but everyone's minds were blown even more when Reside premiered their brand new unreleased track 'Palace' alongside special guest Jono Hawkey (of Sydney hardcore outfit Bloom). Think Panic! At the Disco meets Underoath, and this is kinda the mood that Reside are bringing in right this year. Huge.
Emotions were shaken up from all corners of Crowbar as Columbus took to the stage in Sydney for the final time tonight. Tears were shed, but for the most part, elated feelings of pure bliss and happiness were injected into the room that night. Vocalist Alex Moses seemed overjoyed with excitement and acted very much in the moment as he led the band into the final tour. Kicking in with 'Daffodil' and 'Replace Me', fans moshed to quite the selection from the band's two albums, Spring Forever and A Hot Take On Heartbreak.
I suppose you could call it a greatest hits tour of sorts, but that's not to say the band's final EP was forgotten. 'Temporary Summer' proved a huge hit with fans tonight, reminding us of how momentous yet ever so fleeting being in a band can be. Collectively, the Australian punk trio gave one of their best performances that evening, with bassist Lauren Guerrera overwhelmed with emotion. Even drummer Daniel Seymour kept his momentum going, coming off a back-to-back tour with his other band Waxflower (opening for Trophy Eyes).
Their tenure as a three-piece was a decade-long, but their presence in Australian live music will be missed in the scene greatly. If you're a fan of Australian pop punk and live music, definitely don't miss Columbus saying goodbye on this tour.
Review by Tamara May @citylightstam
Columbus Final Tour Setlist:
Daffodil
Replace Me
Don't Know How To Act
Learn to Swim
Temporary Summer
Raindrop
Cut It Out
Piece of Shit
Toss 'n' Turn
Say What You Want
The Holidays
Spring Forever
Downsides
Can't Hide
Photo gallery by Ophelia Symons. Insta: @opheliavictoria
Please credit Wall of Sound and Ophelia Symons if you repost photos!
Bellwether
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Reside
Columbus
Columbus Driving in the Dark FINAL Australian Tour
With Reside, Bellwether (Sydney only) and Wifecult (Brisbane only)
