On one of Sydney’s coldest nights of the year, a crowd wrapped in flannel shirts, heavy boots and teeny, weeny beanies packed into the Enmore Theatre for the final Australian show of Silversun Pickups‘ long-awaited return tour. It may have been freezing outside, but inside the theatre there was plenty to keep fans warm.
Opening the evening were Aotearoa / New Zealand indie-rock outfit Coast Arcade. Having supported Silversun Pickups throughout the Australian and New Zealand leg of the tour, the four-piece looked completely at home on the Enmore stage. Their seven-song set showcased a band performing with a confidence that belies their years.
Melodious moments
Drawing influence from grunge and indie rock while adding a distinctly modern edge, Coast Arcade effortlessly shifted between driving guitar hooks and slower, reflective moments. Tracks from their 2025 debut self-titled album Coast Arcade highlighted their knack for melody, while their chemistry as longtime friends gave the performance an easy authenticity. Having already shared stages with acts including Peach Pit and The Beths, it’s easy to see why international audiences are beginning to take notice. Silversun Pickups’ Brian Aubert acknowledging it’s a luxury to choose who supports the tour and for them Coast Arcade was their number one choice. By the time they closed with fan favourite “Baited”, they had clearly won over more than a few new listeners.
No “Mean Spirits” in the house tonight!
As the lights dimmed for the main event, orchestral intro music filled the room before Silversun Pickups emerged to a huge reception. Frontperson Aubert quickly addressed the obvious challenge facing the band, his deep husky voice, joking that he was a “walking honey and lemon drink” after succumbing to sickness at the end of the tour. For those not in the know, Aubert is known for his more androgenous vocals, laughing that he was sure when they first played ‘down under’ in 2005, most gig goers would have expected a female singer.
While his vocals were noticeably more restrained than fans might expect, the performance never suffered. In fact, the contrast between Aubert’s delicate delivery and the band’s powerful instrumentation created a surprisingly intimate atmosphere. Classics including “It Doesn’t Matter Why”, “Panic Switch” and “Mean Spirits” drew some of the loudest responses of the night, with the crowd enthusiastically taking over clapping and vocal duties when the mic was twisted round to face them.
Connection over spectacle
The set balanced beloved older material like opener “Well Thought Out Twinkles” and “Three Seed” with new songs including “Au Revoir Reservoir” from the 2026 album Tenterhooks, where Bassist, Nikki Monninger takes on lead vocals. All this demonstrating the band’s continued ability to evolve without losing the dreamy-drenched sound that first earned them a devoted following.
More than twenty years after forming, Silversun Pickups remain a band that thrives on connection rather than spectacle. Their final Australian show might not have been what they had hoped to deliver, but its warmth, humour and musicality made it feel genuinely special and sent Sydney fans home warm, fuzzy and happy.
FIVE STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Photos by Pete Dovgan – you can see more of Pete’s photos from the night HERE
Reviewer attended 29.07.26
