Artists: God Is An Astronaut
Venue: Max Watts, Melbourne, Australia (Naarm, Boonwurrung country)
Date: 8th February 2025
Review by: Ziggy Thunders
Photos by: Dave Collopy
Thank God is an Astronaut for destroying all of us with a beautiful, devastating night of post rock.
Treebeard
Talk about setting the bar high for the evening. Treebeard started the set with Incognita, a seven minute jam that starts with a gentle guitar melody before shifting between heavier and delicate lands slowly as the guitars, bass and drums build up to a headbang inducing end of chaotic, euphoric release in the shape of a solid metal groove.
In true post rock fashion, their next song 8X0 started with a sample of Opponheimer’s ‘destroyer of worlds’ speech before descending into a barrage of riffs and all out heaviness. The energy they unleashed was infectious, members of the crowd joined in as heads started swaying along with them.Next up was a beautiful performance of the title track off their latest record, Snowman, which was dedicated as a touching tribute by vocalist and guitarist PatCooke to his Mother who was in attendance, and his late Father. This is such an emotionally intense journey of a song, starting with a minimal intro with beautiful vocal harmonies leading us into a build up of riffs filled with dread, grief, longing, defeat, acceptance and hope – to have this dedication made that impact so much greater and hard hitting. In a change of pace Treebeard launched into Mountain of Madness, allowing the audience to unleash the emotions that were just conjured to the heavy as hell track that was clearly a fan favourite, and a perfect way to end their set.
Solkyri
I’ve been excited to see Solkyri again ever since I saw them over a year ago for their ten year anniversary gig of their legendary record ‘Are You My Brother?,’ and tonight they delivered that same infectious, high energy I remembered through their unique post rock stylings.
Solkyri took to the stage with applause from an eager crowd and started their set with No Thoughts/No Dreams, featuring shimmering melodies and whirring riffs set to a striking lighting display. This was like floating through tremendous highs of swirling, unrestrained joy as Solkyri jumped around on stage, clearly feeling that exact energy themselves.
Through some tech issues which were handled with humour, Solkyri were clearly riding the high of supporting God Is An Astronaut tonight and the recent release of their new record Cranebrook. Delving into the next track Time Away which started with a sick drum groove before swaying into a whirring melody and guitars drenched with reverb and optimism. The infectious joy and driving emotions of Solkyri’s compositions continued in their performances of This Can’t Wait (which was met with cheering from the crowd) and I Am The Motherfucker. They wrapped up their set with a high energy performance of Pendock and Progress, a four minute jam with ambient grooves that you just can’t help but dance along to.
Watching the crowd sway and dance alongside them in celebration was such a joy to witness, these emotions of pure joy alongside the sadness and melancholy that post rock can conjure is healing – it’s one of the things I cherish about this genre, and Solkyri’s music.
God Is An Astronaut
If you’re a fan of post rock, you most likely will know who God Is An Astronaut are, so you can understand why tonight was such a big deal. From everyone I’ve spoken to about them, they are legends and pillars of the post rock genre, they have influenced some of my favourite bands, their records have become soundtracks for my loved ones during various stages of their lives. Their impact is tremendous. And this was their first ever Australian tour and their first ever night in Melbourne. After a 20+ year career this was obviously a big deal for everyone in attendance.
Looking back on this now as I’m writing it, it really just feels like a dream. There’s nothing that can prepare you for what a magical experience seeing GIAA live is, between the striking backdrops, immersive lighting and soundtrack worthy, highly expressive compositions – they truly create their own world.
Performing a setlist spanning their career, and in celebration of their latest release in 2024, Embers, I’m sure every fan would’ve been catered for tonight. GIAA took us on a journey through their discography. Beginning with Odyssey, a song that sounds exactly like an ancient tale with a lullaby like guitar melody, to Echoes from their self titled record, a in your face wall of reverb guitars, an infectious drum groove and a solid bass with swaying delicate melodies; to the legendary All Is Violent, All Is Bright – title track from the record – which the crowd lost their minds for – as the nostalgic lead guitar filled the room and sent everyone into a post rock trance.
The emotions GIAA were able to weave purely via instrumental music are something to behold, without saying a word they are able to capture so much feeling and communicate an experience. This was evident as guitarist Torsten Kinsella took a moment to share an experience, and inspiration for Falling Leaves – inspired by what he was feeling in the moment when he and brother and bassist, Niels Kinsella, lost their father. The room gave applause in support and all shared in silence as they played the track that goes from guitar melodies full of a warm kind of sadness and longing to powerful waves of staggering riffs and characterful drums from Lloyd Hanney that came together almost like a celebration of life, and as someone who has shared this experience in my own way – this performance really hit home. I think I’m not the only one from last night who found this to be a healing moment.
With an encore of Fragile from All Is Violent, All Is Bright, the crowd broke out into applause, and I went right back to my younger years as the familiar melody that’s weaved its way into my mind without me ever recalling where it came from echoed through the venue. The ethereal, ambient swaying melody washed over the crowd before building up to the most therapeutic, uplifting release with crashing drums and bass you could feel roar through you. GIAA were clearly thrilled to have finally made it all the way here from Ireland, and took a moment to acknowledge Birds Robe for making that happen, before launching into their final song for the evening. From Dust To The Beyond off The End Of The Beginning capped off the evening with shimmering trance like grooves, the heaviest bass drops I’ve ever experienced and an eerie as hell guitar.
This was a night I don’t think any of us will ever forget, thank you GIAA.
Gig Gallery:
