Hollywood Undead - Gig Review & Photo Gallery 20th March @ Liberty Hall, Syd NSW

Hollywood Undead
Liberty Hall, Sydney NSW
March 20, 2025
Support: Banks Arcade

Did you ever stop to think that Sydney has not felt cool enough in the past 14 years? That the air has just been a little… lackluster? It’s probably because Hollywood Undead have not done a headline show in Australia during this time! I mean, the correlation is right there. Thankfully, the rag-tag group of rapping vigilantes returned to Sydney tonight, following a string of sold out shows warming up Falling In Reverse’s crowd, to instead fill Liberty Hall with edge, swagger, and a whole lot of energy! 

Opening the night was none other than New Zealand’s finest export, Banks Arcade. There is perhaps no band greater defined by their flair and stage presence than this outfit, making their opening slot an impressive and calculated choice. From the very first blistering chord, Banks meant business, but not in the sense that they had something to prove, but rather, a showcase of confidence that occurs from knowing that they own the place. Quickly, the band garnered a strong crowd of support with hands raised in the air and bodies bouncing in place. Gazing around the room, it was the band’s bassist Harlan Jones who became a mesmerizing presence I ceased to look away from. Whether it was the whipping of the most refined emo mullet you've ever seen or how he swirled thunderously with his roaring bass, there was just something so intoxicating about his stage antics (not to mention the subtle footy screen time on his phone). Of course, there is always much to be said about lead singer, Joshua O’Donnell. To me, he is one of the most prolific images that comes to mind when I think of the word frontman. Donned in sleek shades and a long-sleeve shirt that hugged his brawny stature, he stomps on stage intimidatingly and intrusively. There is an air of achieved cockiness that glides so smoothly from his untouchable aura on stage that with it, brings so much confidence and spectacle. It’s a feeling that you can’t help but love, and it grows the band’s crowd work exponentially. 

Banks’ setlist was curated to perfection, showing them off at their most electronic-heavy, hard-hitting, and positively jarring selves; perfect to capture the attention of those unfortunate enough to have not heard them before. Within this mix were also two new songs which I believe are titled ‘Vipers’ and ‘Triple 0’- both of which rocked the venue hard. As their set descended into more madness, and even more Dragon Ball Z visuals played in the background, the crowd finally started to move some more. However, it is safe to say they may have been at the peril of the all-too-common Sydney-itis! Regardless of this, Banks Arcade came out all guns blazing, conjuring enough energy to perform at a capacity that I had not seen them reach before. Last year, they took over the nation with Death 2 A Muse and I truly don’t think there will be any slowing down. I have a feeling 2025 will be another year of ruthless domination from this band, and I can’t wait to be shaken up by what they do next! 

The demographic of this night was truly so hard to pick. Pacing up and down the line, I saw fans who were barely eighteen bouncing with excitement, perhaps even attending their first age-restricted show. Two steps later, a man in his 40s covered in tattoos and donned in classic merch from Hollywood Undead’s peak- of course, a shirt much to be desired by some of the fellow ‘oldies’ in the crowd. It was exciting to see so many groups and walks of life come together, all of which, at one point or another, had found the band's music impactful enough to make their way into the center of Sydney and spend their Thursday night with. However, demographic variability or not, I find myself compelled to make a quick note of concert etiquette based on some of the events of the night. In short, if you find yourself being a nuisance to others by squeezing five people into some space made by someone merely breathing at the front, only moments before the main act begins… expect to be met with the full retaliation of the people around you! The outcome will always be a reflection of whom the crowd sides with! 

Scuffles aside, the venue descended into an ominous darkness as the main theme from The Good, The Bad and the Ugly ran its tumbleweeds through the speakers. It was from this moment onwards that I truly couldn’t stop giggling. It was one of those moments that nothing was inherently funny, but situationally, I could not believe what was going on. 

How many men could fit on this stage? How do they not run into each other? Are we going to witness an accidental shove-off into the photo pit? 

I will be the first to admit that I am merely a casual fan of the band in which my knowledge of their past selves was completely irrelevant to what was going on now. And any time that I did grasp who was who, someone new would pick up a guitar and microphone and completely throw me back out of the loop. I think this is where a lot of the excitement grew for me - Hollywood Undead is a band built off the basis of never knowing their next move; from what songs they play to where Funny Man will be standing next, to what wild antics they will do between songs. 

What was clear to see, was that the band was laying out all the stops for the final show of their Australian tour. It took only until song two, ‘CHAOS’, for the room to erupt into the same energy of the very namesake of the track. The venue had become one joint entity of movement, energy, and excitement. There was a tangible buzz in the air that crawled out from everyone in the crowd bouncing off their tippiest of toes to almost reach the roof in celebration of the songs they were hearing. This was over a decade of pent-up energy being released, and it hit like a nuclear explosion, spreading itself over every individual and possessing them into this same state of euphoria. 

It may seem like such an offhand comment to make, but all of Hollywood Undead’s vocal members are so uniquely distinct. There are many situations in which such a mixed vocal variety would struggle to find enough unity to prosper in a creative endeavor. Yet, there is something that is just so moreish about the way the band balances their blends. From Charlie Scene’s juvenile and edgy tone, to Johnny 3 Tears' heavy and intrusive presence- there is an element of juxtaposition that makes their set so alluring, and almost has you playing a game of who gets the mic next! 

While there were massive classics littered on the setlist, like the ever-iconic ‘Everywhere I Go’, I think the standout song of the evening was ‘Riot’. The song was almost like a call to arms, making every act as crazy and feral as they possibly could from the front to the back of the room. Even those upstairs were flailing their arms over the barricade in support. Something about the instrumentals of this track and the catchiness of the section just before the chorus has infected me, seeing its live performance translate into the song now getting more than one rotation an hour for me on my music app of choice. And I’m sure this rings true to many fans with other songs- but particularly for die-hard Liam, who was brought on stage to show off his guitar skills for ‘Comin In Hot’. After impressing the crowd with an insane solo, and sinking a VB (out of all possible drinks available in Australia), Liam’s loveable charisma and insane talent had the venue (and even Charlie Scene) swooning. After being shown a few chords, he stayed on for the track, and there was such a new vibrancy to the band, who now donned astonished looks and smiling faces. There was quite a large emphasis on fans during the night, with a special note to the band’s bewilderment at the Sydney crowd. Of course, there were the normal allegations of being the best show on tour… but this time, I really do think they meant it. From the start to the finish, the energy never died, but kept increasing to levels that somehow lept tenfold from the song before. The crowd remained loud, at times drowning out a chorus! The banter and acceptance that also came from the stage was replicated, making for one of the most fun crowds I’ve been in. I truly could not wipe the smile from my face, even walking out of the venue. 

Concluding with songs very apt to the band's namesake, the double header of ‘Day Of The Dead’ and ‘Undead’ was a sturdy and viscous proclamation of the band’s long-standing presence in a scene they have long rejected. They don’t need the scene, but the scene needs them. With confidence and swagger, they said their goodnights after wholeheartedly knowing they had rocked another 1200 people’s world. 

‍Hollywood Undead’s return to Australia was a definite decline of the notion of a “legacy act”. Instead, they stormed the stage with a point to prove, invigorating the Australian Undead Army and revitalizing their image as a prevalent act that has woven their way here through hard work in the past, that is now gratified by confidence on stage now. Truly, this gig was one of the most fun shows I have ever been to, and above all, left me feeling so genuinely elated. Whether Hollywood Undead is on your playlist or not, they are certainly a live act to see once in your lifetime.

Review by Georgia Haskins @ghaksins2002 

Photo Gallery by Jackson Saunders @jsaundersfilm. Please credit Wall Of Sound and Jackson Saunders if you repost photos.