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  • DS Interview: Half Past Two’s Tara Hahn on the Bad Time Records Tour

    On March 17th, the Bad Time Records tour stopped in Santa Ana, California. Kill Lincoln, JER, and BAD OPERATION took over The Constellation Room for a packed night of ska fun. Joining them for the West Coast dates was Orange County’s Half Past Two! After playing 924 Gilman Street the night before, they got to play a hometown show packed with familiar faces and longtime friends. After their set, we caught up with frontwoman Tara Hahn about the local ska scene, bands that she’s into right now, her fashion style, and more.

    Dying Scene (Spike): Thank you so much for taking the time to do this, it means a lot to me. That was such a good set! How does it feel to be playing in your hometown?

    Tara: I mean, we’ve only been gone for one day so it’s fun to come back, but yesterday when we joined up with everybody on the tour they asked the same thing “are you excited to go home?” and i’m like, “I just left… haha like I just came up here and now i’m going back home”, but yeah, it’s exciting.

    Who are some local artists from Orange County that you like? Current bands or ones that have influenced you?

    It’s so funny because I feel like I can say these names and maybe it’s like, not cool to say them right now, but I mean back in the day I started listening to Save Ferris and Dance Hall Crashers and stuff. They really influenced me to want to play. But now, there’s some new bands in Orange County like we had one of the members of Chudson up tonight. They’re new and doing a really cool thing. Chase Long Beach is an old one that we’ve been playing with for like 20 years now, but they’re still making music and they’re fun to play with. Also Hooray for Our Side. There’s a lot of bands, it’s hard to say.

    What about some newer bands that you want more people to know about?

    There’s a band on the East Coast, it’s my friend Kay and her partner, called The Doomstompers. They have some music coming out, and it’s really good. I love Kay’s voice. They’re really new and I want more people to know about them. Like I said, Chudson is doing some good things. I just like how they have a good following of young people, and I think that’s important that we keep the scene going. One of the things I experienced when we started was everybody was like kind of the old guard, and I would go to these shows and I’d be like “why are these like creepy old guys around” you know. I like that ska music’s become more young and queer and it feels a lot safer than it used to so I think those sorts of bands are progressing the scene, and that’s why Bad Time Records is good too. There’s just so many bands on the label that do that. Just check out all the bands on Bad Time Records and I think you’re in good company and got good listening.

    Who are some people you feel have helped pave the way to help get you where you are today?

    I think Mustard Plug does a good job of helping bands get out there, and The Toasters. They used to take us around and those were some of our first tours. We were like “this is so cool!” It’s really nice when those legacy bands help other bands out. Reel Big Fish used to do that with us. Reel Big Fish… we owe a lot to them. Aaron produced our first album, and he went to our high school. So we ran into him at this burger place and we were like “here’s our demo” and he listened to it and was like “I want to record you guys!” And I kind of think that’s a reason why we’re still here.

    To me, your stage presence feels very natural and confident, like you just own the stage when you’re up there. Have you always felt such confidence?

    I have been performing for a really long time. I did show choir in middle and high school, but I always thought I would be like a backup singer. When I started pursuing alternative music and being in bands, I really just wanted to be a backup singer, but then this happened! So it took a while to get to the confidence spot, and I still get nervous before every single show, but I guess that’s why it feels “natural” because I’m just like trying to have fun with my friends.

    What advice can you give to women right now trying to make it in the scene?

    I think first of all, just don’t give a fuck about what other people are saying you can and can’t do, and just don’t be afraid. There’s so many times where I felt like I had to shrink myself to sort of have a seat at the table, and I don’t think it’s necessary anymore. I feel that when women show up, and are their true authentic self, then people just receive it. It’s really important to be authentic.

    Being a mom, a wife, the frontwoman of a band, how do you balance it all?

    My partner is a very big supporter of what I’m doing, and I don’t think I could do it without his support. I don’t know how I balance it all. I’m literally always putting things on my plate and it makes me crazy sometimes, but I just try and remember, if I wasn’t doing this, I’d probably be even more miserable. I like to say yes to a lot of things. Music is everything, and my kids. I fully, 100 percent show up for them and support them and all that they do. And they support me! I just want them to know that you can pursue and do whatever you want to do. Be a mom and be in a band, that’s totally fine.

    I’ll never forget the performance at Garden Amp with your daughter Neely, it was so touching. What do you hope she takes away from the song “Shine” as she gets older? It’s about her, right?

    Oh gosh, it is about her. It makes me cry when I think about it.

    I’m sorry.

    No no it’s okay, I mean I think that’s the important thing about music, it’s like a cathartic thing. I know that she really likes the song, and I hope when she gets older she realizes that I’m gonna be there for her and support her in all the different ways. No matter what she wants to do, and I just want to see her thrive. That’s kind of what “Shine” is about, making sure that you nurture the person to be who they need to be.

    Recently Half Past Two came out with a new song “Nightmare of You“, and it’s not really ska. It’s more hardcore, kind of pop-punky. Do you think you will ever release an album that isn’t ska?

    Um, not that’s not ska. We actually didn’t mean to make that song not a ska song, but it just happened to be that way. You know, we want to show people we have range. We like ska music, but we like other music too. And I think it’s important to let people in the ska scene know, don’t gate-keep the other music, you know. We have other influences, too.

    Like who?

    I like to listen to a lot of post-hardcore stuff. I really love Scowl, and really girly indie bands too. I was just here at The Observatory seeing this band called Bad Bad Hats, and there wasn’t that many people here, but I was like “I love this band!” It was just girly, vibey music.

    One thing that really got me into Half Past Two was your covers. You cover lots of songs.

    We do!

    Do you have a favorite cover that you’ve done?

    I think my favorite cover is one we did recently. It wasn’t even a big band, but it’s our friends’ band Tiny Stills. It was a really slow song and we were like, “What if we just made it really fast?” I think it’s like under a minute because when I made the reel for Instagram, that thing went by. It just flies, and it’s so much fun. When we showed it to the band they were like, “woah, it’s so fast!”

    So that one, and it’s fun to do other styles too. We did Suicide Machines and people always love to hear that song, just because it’s so not us.

    My favorite is Holiday by Green Day, that was what first introduced me to you guys.

    We were going to play it tonight! We took it out of the set because our horn player Patrick was like, I don’t know if I know it very well, and I’m like, ugh. We were going to play it and we could have dedicated it to you!

    Hoping that Patrick knows it by the next time they’re in town.

    You have a great fashion style, I love all of your outfits. I have to ask, who inspires it?

    Actually my friend Tabby that’s here tonight! I mean, I own a lot of clothes, and I love dressing up, but Tabby and I have even more fun sitting together and coming up with outfits. He is like a fashion icon on his own. He’s really into ska and J-fashion, so it’s kind of like a match made in heaven. We literally do that thing like on Clueless where they piece the outfits together, we just like sit on the phone and like cut out my clothes and put the together. He like micromanages, he’ll tell me what to do with my eye makeup, my hair, all that stuff. But it’s fun. It’s so much fun.

    What can fans expect from Half Past Two in the future?

    You know, we’re a band that’s always working on stuff so we have some new stuff in the pipeline. We’ve been working on it for a really long time. We have, like, a concept album that we’ve… a concept album? That’s so weird. But we’ve been working on that for a while, and we’re hoping that it comes out this year. I just need to fine-tune a couple of things, so that’s what we got!

    That’s so exciting to hear! I cannot wait for that. Is there anything else you’d like to add?

    I think what you’re doing is really cool! As far as I can remember, there hasn’t been a lot of people that go out and, like, report on music, especially in little communities and scenes like this, so keep it up. I think it’s really cool.

    From talking about her early influences in the Orange County ska scene to opening up about confidence, family life, and the band’s future, Tara Hahn showed us exactly why Half Past Two has remained such an important part of the community for so many years. Whether she was shouting out new bands, reflecting on the ones who helped them get their start, or talking about pushing expectations, one thing stayed consistent. The scene only survives as long as we keep putting our energy into it. As the conversation wrapped up, Tara’s words about the importance of documenting and supporting local music communities really stuck with me. Scenes like this thrive because people put their time, energy, and passion, whether it’s on stage, behind the camera, or in the crowd. Being able to capture these stories and share them is something that means so much to me, and it’s a great reminder that keeping local scenes alive can take many forms. The important thing is simply showing up, while contributing and supporting however you can.

    A few days after this conversation, Bad Time Records released 4 songs from Half Past Two’s new side project with Omnigone, Half Gone. It was a great surprise, with a perfect blend of both bands sounds. They also released a music video! Watch it here:

    Follow Half Past Two on Instagram and stay updated on their website so you don’t miss any news on their upcoming concept album and future shows. When you get the chance to see them live, don’t pass it up!

    You can check out the full video of the interview here!

  • Dornenreich – Confirm Acoustic Shows In Germany & Austria

    Later this year, in November, Dornenreich will perform several acoustic shows in Germany and Austria. Fellow countrymen Vinsta will be joining them on these dates as support.
    Read more…
  • Slyder Smith Releases New Single ‘Killing The Machine’

    UK rock singer-songwriter Slyder Smith returns with his explosive new single ‘Killing The Machine‘, out now, – a hard-hitting, thought-provoking track that tackles the growing fear and reality of technology overtaking human connection and control. Blending gritty guitars, anthemic melodies, and his trademark raw lyricism, ‘Killing The Machine‘ channels both urgency and unease, capturing the tension between […]

    The post Slyder Smith Releases New Single ‘Killing The Machine’ appeared first on ROCKPOSER DOT COM.

  • Ural – Unveil ‘Terror Eyes’ Song

    Italian thrashers Ural have unleashed “Terror Eyes”, the third advance single from their upcoming long player Anthropic Genetic Involution.
    Read more…
  • 2026 Rock + Metal Festival + Cruise Guide

    What rock and metal festivals will you check out in 2026? Will you set sail on a rock or metal cruise? See what's coming up in 2026. Continue reading…
  • 2026 Rock + Metal Festival + Cruise Guide

    What rock and metal festivals will you check out in 2026? Will you set sail on a rock or metal cruise? See what's coming up in 2026. Continue reading…
  • A View From The Back Of The Room: Ba’al (Matt Bladen)

    Ba’al, Cairns & Pluto, Frog & Fiddle, Cheltenham, 20.03.26


    Almost let this one slip under the radar! Thankfully I actually managed to pull myself together and get it written up before my memory was too faded.

    Though on the day itself, I wouldn’t have been telling you much of what happened as two of my bestest buddies and spent most of day preceding the show visiting the Deya brewery alongside a few of Cheltenham’s most appealing watering holes.

    Many delightful beers were drunk, some delicious food was ingested and we finally arrived from our odyssey at The Frog And Fiddle which had yet more treats for the taste buds and of course more importantly the ears.

    I’ve been to Frog And Fiddle before, however it was for professional wrestling, so this was my first gig at the venue and while the high stage is tightly packed into one end of the room, complete with a big screen on the back to show graphics for the bands. the sound is perfect, coming through the speakers into the cavernous room and it’s imposing wooden beams.

    It’s a long and thin venue running the length of the outside bar, which offers seats and refuge from the loud noises inside the gig area. In short more venues should take the time and effort that Frog & Fiddle do as it’s a pleasure to watch bands there.

    A particular pleasure when the bands are this good. Presented by promoters Road To Masochist, getting the evening started were Midlands based Pluto, who combine ear bleeding molten sludge with blackened post-metal blasts, thick basslines come with tremolo picking that shifts into heavy grooves.

    Squashed onto the stage there was little room to move but their singer commanded the stage with his presence and voice as the rest of the band locked in for this melting pot of genres that created a seam that linked them to the other, more well known I’d wager bands on the bill, but Pluto for my money stood their ground as an opener to get the heads nodding.

    Next up though we’re two bands we had seen before, as if in One For Sorrow Plymouth replay it was Manchester band Cairns who took tongue stage yet. Their frontman bemoaning, with tongue-in-cheek, that he was missing football to come and play for Cheltenham, as they dove into their atmospheric post black metal ferocity.

    Never a band without a crowd, they seem to bring a dedicated fanbase with them wherever they play and that does give this Manchester band a cocksure attitude that bleeds into how sickly they’re able to storm through their set, playing their 2022 EP Keening in full alongside a brand new song that seems to be of the same high quality musicals offence that Cairns are known for.

    The fire was stoked by Cairns ready for the headliners to take to the stage, and as with every show from Sheffield band Ba’al tissues need to be at the ready as their style of blackened post metal is always emotionally cathartic no matter how many times you experience it. That’s the key word for Ba’al they’re a band you experience, rather than listen to, or enjoy, each of their songs if fuelled by trauma, rage, sadness and the search for closure.

    These emotions wrought through the intense vocals of Joe Stamps, who lets the music and lyrics overwhelm him. Though it would be just a man screaming without the layered heaviness of guitarists Nick Gosling and Chris Mole, drummer Luke Rutter and bassist Richard Spencer who weave the intricacies of Ba’al’s blackened post metal menagerie.

    The bulk of their set coming from their tremendous The Fine Line Between Heaven And Here album, with one from Ellipsism and another from Soft Eyes sprinkled in-between, but as always with Ba’al the whole set is mesmerising, drawing you into in with their introspective aggression that closed a brilliant night of music after a great away day for team MoM.

    Cheltenham will be on our gig list from now on as the whole city is buzzing with good times and their music scene is very strong. 10/10
  • A View From The Back Of The Room: Ba’al (Matt Bladen)

    Ba’al, Cairns & Pluto, Frog & Fiddle, Cheltenham, 20.03.26


    Almost let this one slip under the radar! Thankfully I actually managed to pull myself together and get it written up before my memory was too faded.

    Though on the day itself, I wouldn’t have been telling you much of what happened as two of my bestest buddies and spent most of day preceding the show visiting the Deya brewery alongside a few of Cheltenham’s most appealing watering holes.

    Many delightful beers were drunk, some delicious food was ingested and we finally arrived from our odyssey at The Frog And Fiddle which had yet more treats for the taste buds and of course more importantly the ears.

    I’ve been to Frog And Fiddle before, however it was for professional wrestling, so this was my first gig at the venue and while the high stage is tightly packed into one end of the room, complete with a big screen on the back to show graphics for the bands. the sound is perfect, coming through the speakers into the cavernous room and it’s imposing wooden beams.

    It’s a long and thin venue running the length of the outside bar, which offers seats and refuge from the loud noises inside the gig area. In short more venues should take the time and effort that Frog & Fiddle do as it’s a pleasure to watch bands there.

    A particular pleasure when the bands are this good. Presented by promoters Road To Masochist, getting the evening started were Midlands based Pluto, who combine ear bleeding molten sludge with blackened post-metal blasts, thick basslines come with tremolo picking that shifts into heavy grooves.

    Squashed onto the stage there was little room to move but their singer commanded the stage with his presence and voice as the rest of the band locked in for this melting pot of genres that created a seam that linked them to the other, more well known I’d wager bands on the bill, but Pluto for my money stood their ground as an opener to get the heads nodding.

    Next up though we’re two bands we had seen before, as if in One For Sorrow Plymouth replay it was Manchester band Cairns who took tongue stage yet. Their frontman bemoaning, with tongue-in-cheek, that he was missing football to come and play for Cheltenham, as they dove into their atmospheric post black metal ferocity.

    Never a band without a crowd, they seem to bring a dedicated fanbase with them wherever they play and that does give this Manchester band a cocksure attitude that bleeds into how sickly they’re able to storm through their set, playing their 2022 EP Keening in full alongside a brand new song that seems to be of the same high quality musicals offence that Cairns are known for.

    The fire was stoked by Cairns ready for the headliners to take to the stage, and as with every show from Sheffield band Ba’al tissues need to be at the ready as their style of blackened post metal is always emotionally cathartic no matter how many times you experience it. That’s the key word for Ba’al they’re a band you experience, rather than listen to, or enjoy, each of their songs if fuelled by trauma, rage, sadness and the search for closure.

    These emotions wrought through the intense vocals of Joe Stamps, who lets the music and lyrics overwhelm him. Though it would be just a man screaming without the layered heaviness of guitarists Nick Gosling and Chris Mole, drummer Luke Rutter and bassist Richard Spencer who weave the intricacies of Ba’al’s blackened post metal menagerie.

    The bulk of their set coming from their tremendous The Fine Line Between Heaven And Here album, with one from Ellipsism and another from Soft Eyes sprinkled in-between, but as always with Ba’al the whole set is mesmerising, drawing you into in with their introspective aggression that closed a brilliant night of music after a great away day for team MoM.

    Cheltenham will be on our gig list from now on as the whole city is buzzing with good times and their music scene is very strong. 10/10
  • LIVE REVIEW: PAPA ROACH With Special Guests Landmvarks & prepared A Day To Remember

    Papa Roach _The Rockpit_METRO CITY, PERTH_210423

    Calling a tour “The Big Rock Show” is a big call. Through the history of time there have indeed been some big rock shows and tours. This one is a little different though. It’s celebrating three bands that came to life in three separate decades. The tour could have almost been called the big rock evolution tour. Papa Roach who formed in 1993, A Day To Remember in 2003 and Landmvrks in 2014.  Tonight’ was a generational thing and I can proudly say that in the early 2000’s Papa Roach became one of the most important bands in my life, they were there through it all new life, death, sadness and happiness, every realm and variation of these things possible. If you connect with a band like that yourself, then you get exactly what I am saying. The emo styled punk pop fury of A Day To Remember connected with a different generation yet again; but blurred the lines blending the noughties with the tens and beyond. Landmvrks who take a little for the two forementioned bands and levelled it up into this decade. All three bands have such strong connective elements. When you think about it, how could it not be The Big Rock show.

    Landmvarks who hail from Marseille in France are no strangers to Australia. In their fourteen-year career they have become no strangers to Australia. This is their third visit to our country in the last three years and they have clearly worked their asses off building a fan base. For a band that I was seeing for the first time there were a whole lot of people who knew exactly who Landmvrks were here tonight. I’m sure most of them were at the night before’s headline sideshow at Stay Gold in Brunswick, Melbourne. A gig in hindsight I’m regretting I missed.

    Purely based on tonight’s set I can understand why Landmvrks are a band on the rise and rising fast. If I’m honest, I have flirted with the bands catalogue over the last couple of years. The albums have been great but have never struck me hard enough to have them on high or semi-permanent rotation. I appreciated the way they threw a variety of genres together and showed a willingness to adventure towards their own sound and on 2025’s “The Darkest Place I’ve Ever Been” it felt like they were almost there. Live, they are such a beast, they took away what I thought I knew about the band and put an energy on it that you can only feel as it’s impossible to explain. It’s moments like this that can sway the balance between knowing a band and becoming a fan of the band. Tonight I became a fan of Landmvrks. Frontman Florent Salfati has such a great energy to him, he knows how to hype up a crowd and pull in your engagement. When he asked for a circle pit or a wall of death he got it, whatever he asked of us he got it. Lead guitarist Nicolas Exposito is great to watch and his dirty voice is exceptional, the same goes for bassist Rudy Purkart who is incredible solid and locks into drummer Kevin D’Agostino’s playing with the same intensity. It’s the clean vocals and harmonies of rhythm guitarist Paul Cordebrad that add something really unique to Salfati’s voice and the songs where these more melodic parts shine.

    Tonight’s set was a mix of songs from their last two records. This short sharp seven song set was a great way to kick of the show and in hindsight was a modern take on what both headliners bring to the table musically and stylistically as well as going a bit darker and heavier.

    Landmvrks are a band that I didn’t expect to find a connection with live, however that all has changed. I’m glad I caught there set; what I saw and heard was one hell of a performance and has taken me from a passing listener to a fan. My advice to anyone checking out this tour is to get there early and catch their set.

    Setlist : Creature, Sulfur, La Valse Du Temps, Lost In A Wave, Rainfall, Blood Red, Self-Made Black Hole.

    From the moment I heard the lyric “cut my life into pieces, this is my last resort” and then that guitar riff in 2000. I was taken back and discovered a band that would become one of my all-time favourites bands of the new millennium and a very important band to me. The soundtrack to life as it’s often called. Fast forward to today April 8, 2026 and I am finally seeing the band that has carried me through the last twenty-six years. They have always been there and had a message that resonated with me, whether it be something deeply personal or something that I could relate to in life. Papa Roach were an outlet, a release and an escape from a feeling, an emotion and a pathway to making sense of it all. Papa Roach have done it like no other band when I sit down and think of it, they have been my rock n roll therapy. Add to this the energy their catalogue of songs, their depth has no limits and I owe this band so much.

    Explosive from the moment they take to the stage Papa Roach “Even If It Kills Me” launches this sensory overload. The production is sensational, the level of finesse in the chaos of this show is second to none. Nothing has been spared or compromised for Papa Roach’s set. Fire, Co2 jets, a video wall that works into the stage, the attention to detail is meticulous. Its all class all the way.

    Jacoby Shaddix come out all guns blazing as he works the crowd with so much energy. There is something to be said about a band that can keep an audience in the palm of their hand.

    The strike of the first four songs is relentless. Constantly revving us all up, encouraging Rod Laver to get up out of their seats because this is a rock show. By “Dead Cell” he had us all up, fists in the air and screaming along with him, pushing us harder and louder with every prompt. If Shaddix didn’t have you involved by now why are you here?

    Shaddix addressed Rod Laver in the way only he can do “Make some motherf*cking noise for Landmvrks. And I know you guys are ready for our brothers in A Day To Remember. My main question now is do you want some more Papa f*cking Roach?” Rod Laver’s response is deafening. “Let’s see a circle pit and let’s see what you got” as the launch into “…To Be Loved” all the power and fury is there yet again and the circle pit just ignites. It’s not only the pit that ignites but it sees Shaddix leave the stage, singing with fans at the barrier and then wandering into the crowd on the left side and up into the seats, shaking hands and singing. It’s such a cool moment. Sure, it’s nothing new, but this seems to be so genuine, it’s not rushed, it’s at his pace which is great and made sure it connected how it should have. The energy is pure magic, how can you not smile at a performance like this. All capped off by Shaddix saying “Now we got you off your seats”. Drummer Tony Palmero even broke his snare, that should tell you how hard Papa Roach are going tonight.

    “If you got demons, they die tonight, they don’t belong in this house, no way, no how. Split this crowd in the middle, we are going to exercise them, smash their faces on this dance floor. Open this pit up, all the way to the back” Shaddix commands us as they rock the hell out of us again with ‘Kill The Noise’ and the pit just goes wild again. The flames from the stage scorch us for the hundredth time tonight and it just fuels us even more. ‘Getting Away With Murder’ is another sonic punch that has Melbourne rocking and in fine voice.

    “I got a feeling you people here tonight love that shit!! I love it when I see you up on your friends shoulders, I love seeing you in the mosh pit, I love it when I see you guys singing, I love it when I see you guy’s crowd surfing, I just love it seeing you guys having a good time. You guys are here to party tonight. We are a long way from home, but I tell you right now Melbourne is my home. I ain’t here for a long time, but I am here for a good time so we going to throw it down. Thank you guys for making us feel at home.”

    The band launches into a brief version of 2Pac’s ‘California Love’ introducing the band. Tobin Esperance on bass, Tony Palmero on drums, Anthony Esperance on Keys, percussion and guitar, and this guy is gonna be a daddy, can you believe it, let’s give it up for Jerry as the chant of Jerry starts Jerry Horton on guitar. These four musicians are simply on fire, tight, energetic and deliver the music so damn well. It’s all live, no tracks and that is the way rock n roll should be. It’s fun and that is all that matters.

    “Don’t talk about it, Be about it! Melbourne, let’s see what you got on this one” as ’Liar’ perhaps wasn’t the song I expected with that kind of intro, but the song from their Ego Trip album kind of misses for me, however the crowd doesn’t share my thoughts.

    ‘Falling Apart’ rocks us again and the crowd are singing at full voice again. The song is just ear candy, that cool kick of rock with the almost pop chorus and feel. Palmero beats hit drum kit within inches of its life on this one. The last bit of the song sees Shaddix drop to his knees and like reading poetry recites to us all “I keep falling, I keep falling and hurting the people that I love. I keep falling, I keep falling and betraying myself, I keep falling, falling …. But I keep getting back up”. It’s a different side to the rock n roll frontman we have enjoyed all night and it’s so powerful.

    The screen behind the stage lights the now dark venue with a pre recorded video from Shaddix that talks about mental health, suicide prevention, the effects of suicide; letting us know that it is close to the band and that there is help out there. When they hear someone tell them your music saved my life it makes this cause really important to them, so just by being here tonight, they wanted to give back, and we were a part of it. Papa Roach announce they are making a donation to a local suicide prevention charity in the name of tonight show. For anyone that is in the dark we want you to always know you are not alone, we will always leave a light on for you.

    This message alone hit how it should have, and I could imagine how hard it must be to do this live every night. The emotion in this is real. Shaddix asks that we illuminate the place as “this is for the ones we have lost and the ones left behind”. This is what I was talking about before, this band has always had something to offer the heart and soul. ‘Leave A Light On (Talk Away The Dark)’ is just beautiful. It’s acoustic with percussion and just chillingly perfect. The moment of silence at the end hits hard too leaving the Arena in pretty much darkness. The effects of suicide has clearly hit Shaddix personally and he has struggled himself. This is the message everyone needs to hear and feel. You couldn’t help feel it in his words.

    “This next song I believe saved this bands career, this one brought me out of the darkness personally, this one right here is called Scars”. Hearing Rod Laver Arena sing this back is just mind blowing. Not a word missed and a definite highlight of the set.

    “you guys are amazing, what an audience, for real you guy’s murdered Adelaide, I mean slayed Adelaide. You might be the best so far, but not quite yet, Perth was f*cking unreal” which can gain the response you expect a crowd full of boo’s. “Oh boo, he’s honest. C’mon I’m trying to rile you up a little bit. I need your help singing on this next one called ‘Help’ and I wanna see some crowd surfers”. This song from “Crooked Teeth” has to be one of my favourites and it just grooves along. Shaddix tell us we are all mental as a crowd and that we are officially the best audience of the tour.

    “This one is built for the mosh pit” as the band launches into ‘Braindead” and gives us a taste of the evolution to a new era of Papa Roach and it is brilliant live.

    “Born For Greatness” pounds it way through Rod Laver. This is a weird song for me, it’s a little too commercial for me and almost comes across as a Pink song (now that’s not a bad thing either) … well that is until it kicks you in the face. I kind of feel this song tried too hard to cross over for the band. It’s a strange choice to close out the main set with too.

    Hey good lookin’ plays through the PA along with a cockroach video and the first song of

    the encores, is ‘Between Angels & Insects’ with an extended intro. It’s an obvious choice and show off just how good Shaddix’s voice is. Let’s face it, it’s essential Papa Roach. That chorus …. So damn good. The pit comes alive like it hasn’t before tonight. Just WOW.

    “We are going to take you on a little journey right now. We like to call this part of the show the nu-metal time machine. Jump in with me and let’s go”. The Medley included ‘Blind’ by Korn, ‘Shove It’ from The Deftones, Limp Bizkit’s ‘Break Stuff’ and System Of A Down’s ‘Chop Suey’. Shaddix again left the stage and graced the crowd on the right side of the stage in the seats hi fiving kids and talking to fans along the way. Again, that personal touch is everything and the fans just lapped it up.

    Returning to the stage we all realise this is the last song and it could only be one song ‘Last resort’ which drove Rod Laver to another level. To say this song was nothing short of insane would be an understatement. The perfect song to end an incredible set. It had everything, flames, Co2 jets and a crowd that just bounced.

    “We f*king love you !!!” screamed Shaddix “We can’t wait to do this again with you. Thank you, God bless you” before taking a final bow. Rest assured Papa Roch I can’t wait to do this again with you.

    Shaddix in a true ring master, part bad ass rockstar, part showman, part intricate human.

    Every song hit where it should the dynamics of the set shape the feel; the energy unleashed from the stage came back 15,000 fold.  We fed Papa Roach and Papa Roach fed us back.

    It’s incredible that a band can do this and for an hour plus straight.

    I get to see so many shows and I know that I connect with so many of them, however tonight’s Papa Roach set connected on a level of its own.  It’s rare that I fall into the hand of a frontman and am captivated by a whole performance. The raw emotion and energy of Jacoby Shaddix is an exception to the rule. He worked an arena like it was a 400 capacity room and that is no easy feat.

    Setlist : Even If It Kills Me, Blood Brothers, Dead Cell, …To Be Loved, Kill The Noise, Getting Away With Murder, California Love, Liar, Falling Apart, Leave A light on (Talk Away The Dark), Scars, Help, Braindead, Born For Greatness.

    Encore : Between Angels and Insects, Nu-Metal Medley (Blind, My Own Summer (Shove It, Break Stuff, Chop Suey), Last Resort.

    A quick modification of the stage and a change of backline prepared A Day To Remember to take to the stage and show us what they had for us. Backing up a set like Papa Roach’s is not going to be an easy feat and more to the point could they deliver a set that energetic and engaging? I’m not so sure.

    In some ways judging by the initial reaction from the crowd as they tore into ‘The Downfall Of Us All’ the crowd still had a ton to give.

    The energy is really high, and I don’t think I have ever seen so many crowd surfers over the front barrier in the first song at a show as I did tonight. The infectious pop-punk power of ADTR is enough to bring the want to party back in anyone. These guys are fun and just as fun as the first time I saw them at Knotfest Melbourne in 2025. For me ADTR were the surprise of the day there for me. Their energy and fun vibe won me over instantly. However, a full headline set versus a short sharp festival slot can be a whole different vibe.

    While the band have this insane energy and much the same stage show as Papa Roach it was far less interactive or atmospheric. A predominantly static logo image graced the screen with subtle animations and colour changes. The flames were there, the Co2 was there too, and these guys just as they did at Knotfest had confetti and man did these guys use some confetti through the night.

    Frontman Jeremy McKinnon is a different kind of frontman to Shaddix. His presence has less intensity and a more relaxed fun feel to it. It embodies that pop-punk vibe perfectly. The band are super tight and a fun watch.

    What gives ADTR an edge over their pop-punk peers is that they aren’t afraid to push boundaries and crossover into metalcore and dip their toes in alternative radio rock which gives them this broad scoop of fans. Thinking about the crowd they certainly had that broad demographic, goths, punks, emo’s, white collar types and everyday rock radio fans. The crowd clearly a decade younger than myself. I guess it’s about where an artist and their music hits you and where in life you were when you discovered them.

    The nineteen-song set tonight featured six songs from their latest album ‘Big Ole Album Vol.1’ which I must admit I haven’t really given a lot of time to yet. It’s great to hear bands feature new music in their sets. 2009’s ‘Homecoming’ had a great run of five songs from it. This was the album that started this incredible wave for them, and all five songs have earned their place in the set. ADTR have a huge history with Australia, and we were one of the first markets to break them outside of America and they haven’t been shy about visiting us and making sure we are looked after.

    As with a lot of pop-punk bands there is always some element of fun. From their appearance at Knotfest to now, they have certainly added to the show. Tonight we had a guy dressed as Mario from Super Mario Brothers toss shirts into the crowd during ‘All My Friends’  and two huge basketball hoops placed on either side of the stage and a mass of inflatable basketballs tossed into the crowd and a challenge was set to see which side could shoot more hoops that the other during ‘LeBron’, which the right side won with ease.

    This is a fun, forget the world outside kind of show and had they played before Papa Roach I think they would have landed differently for me. While I thoroughly enjoyed their set, it just lacked something for me. For the rest of Rod Laver Arena I don’t think many would agree with me and that’s OK.

    Sure, the circle pits on the floor were intense, but unless you are in or around them and their chaos, they all start to look the same from the seats and loose some of that magic. But I will say ADTR’s surfing the crowd surfer was super fun to watch.

    McKinnon asks the crowd if we like it when bands leave the stage and tease at playing more songs. He hates it and tells us these are the last three songs, the first of which is ‘If It Means A Lot To You”, the first glance at the band a little more stripped back. Initially goofing with the intro to Nickleback’s ‘Photograph’.

    ‘Closer Than You Think’ brings the energy back up leading us to the grand finale of ‘All Signs Point To Lauderdale’ which has it all flames, streamers shot from the stage and the obligatory toss of toilet paper into the crowd from the stage. This is simple fun at its finest, a great time and ADTR know how to deliver a fun show.

    I must admit that ADTR’s VIP package must have allowed purchasing fans to stand at the back of the stage and watch the show was super cool. What a unique experience they must have had seeing the show from the band perspective. It’s these things that certainly keep fans rabid and engaged.

    ADTR are a one huge party live, make no mistake about that. I really enjoyed their set, and I will absolutely check them out live again.

    Tonight Rod Laver danced, sang, moshed and there were even teeth knocked out in the frenzy of it all.

    Landmvrks delivered an incredible set that set the tone. Papa Roach took everything to a new level and ADTR brought the party home. Without sounding tacky all three bands delivered A NIGHT TO REMEMBER and a show I won’t forget in a hurry.

    Setlist : The Downfall Of Us All, I’m Made OF Wax Larry What are You Made Of?, 2nd Sucks, Right Back At It Again, Bad Blood, Paranoia, Miracle, All My Friends, Have Faith In Me, Flowers, Mr. Highway’s Thinking About The End, Resentment, It’s Complicated, LeBron, All I Want, The Plot To Bomb The Panhandle, If It Means A Lot To You, Closer Than You Think, All Signs Point To Lauderdale.

    Wirth many thanks Dallas Does PR for the media accreditiation

    The post LIVE REVIEW: PAPA ROACH With Special Guests Landmvarks & prepared A Day To Remember appeared first on The Rockpit.