Artists: Kilat, Tongue Dissolver, False Fate
Venue: The Curtin, Melbourne, Australia (Woiwurrung country)
Date: 24th October 2026
Review by: Ben Eldström
Photos by: Dave Collopy
The live showcase of Kilat‘s long-anticipated and suddenly-released second album Tirai Niskala forced Melbourne punters to brave a humid spring evening and head to the Curtin for eclectic night of music. BA, arguably Melbourne’s biggest fan of mixed bills, put together a line up that was both disconnected yet complementary.
False Fate
The iconic staircase in the bandroom at the Curtin delivered a steady stream of punters before False Fate made a start, and the room was about half full as the droning cinematic atmosphere began to build. There were hints of goth influences in the soundscape, as well as melodic undertones, all of which ebbed and flowed throughout the set.
Abut halfway through the set the room was nearly full, and rhythmic swaying was abound. False Fate crafted the performance into one long, immersive journey filled with brooding, spaciousness, reflective contemplation. Some 30ish (who’s counting?!) minutes later, and the set ended with an eruption of applause from the crowed, with the tone set for the rest of the night.
Tongue Dissolver
I’m not gonna pretend to understand Tongue Dissolver, but I think I get it. Playing a very percussive, energetic, and up-beat blend of something electronic, Tongue Dissolver feel very deliberate, passionate, and inspired. There’s a deceptive simplicity to their sound, with the repetitive rhythms distracting you from a lot of vocal and melodic complexity, and the influence of many genres. Despite the sonic chasm separating the styles of Tongue Dissolver and headliners Kilat, the room was still packed and somehow a few more people had squeezed in. It’s great to see artists like this working so well on a bill so varied, and is a credit to both BA and punters alike for being so open minded.
Whilst I can’t speak to how many others in the room understood Tongue Dissolver, it was pretty easy to see that most got it too. Their passionate and energetic performance is hard to resist, and most punters were rapidly moving to the music.
Tongue Dissolver were great, and I’m thankful to have been exposed to them. Despite working so well in this line-up, I get the sneaking feeling they’d be truly at home in a very different setting. Maybe that’s an underground rave in an abandoned factory in Coburg, or maybe it’s a bigger arena with a bill full of household names; I think both could work.
Kilat
Karina walked out solo to deliver an acknowledgement of country as incense filled the room. A signature opening of theirs, a practice entwined in their Javanese & Balinese influences, I’ve always enjoyed the juxtaposition of soothing calm before one of the most oppressive and overwhelming acts in Melbourne. Introducing 8 tracks from the new album, Tirai Niskala, Kilat proceeded to assault the room whilst bathed in their signature dark blue lighting; now a nice match to the album artwork of their latest record.
The new album is unmistakably Kilat, and pushes their sound deeper into what it already was. The performance was unrelenting, with the interaction between BA’s fervent and sustained guitar work being underpinned and punctuated by Rama’s drumming. BA & Rama sound like they’re in an eternal battle to be the heaviest, but approaching it from different angles. It creates a tension that’s only elevated by Karina’s vocals, whose range is chaotic and captivating.
Kilat have this rusted-on following in Melbourne, and rightfully so. Even gigs years after an album is released are able to pack venues, and they regularly draw the biggest crowds on local festival bills. Despite all this, last night felt exclusive, with the room filled with those seemingly in the know of one of Australia’s best heavy acts. What a way to wrap up the East coast tour for their newest album.
Gig Gallery
