For the third show of their Australia and New Zealand tour, the band returned to Melbourne, making their debut at Margaret Court Arena, the large-scale indoor venue at Melbourne Park. Compared with their previous Melbourne shows, 2026 marks a significant step up in venue size, taking them from 170 Russell to the Forum Theatre and now Margaret Court Arena.
At the VIP soundcheck, the band performed ‘Stay’, ‘Moving On’ and ‘One of the Three’. On the latter, Tim experimented with his vocals, opting for a deeper register that added even greater richness to the track. During the Q&A, someone asked which venues the band would still like to play. Both Tim and Jim immediately suggested the Pyramids, prompting a comical exchange in which Tim explained that permission was needed to perform there, while Jim joked that they would need a blessing from the gods. There was also some discussion about the upcoming album, which Jim revealed was expected sometime next year. The pair spoke warmly about their relationship with producer Catherine Marks, with Tim adding that it was the strongest partnership they’d had since working with Brian Eno.
Taking a more subdued approach to the opening, the band began with the melancholic ‘Dream Thrum’. Adrian Oxaal’s hypnotic, looping guitar line anchored the track’s introspective atmosphere, providing an early showcase of the band’s musicality. ‘Interrogation’ followed as the first surprise of the night, before ‘Low Low Low’ got everyone moving, once again appearing early in the set compared to last year’s North American tour.
Having not yet featured on the tour, the joyous ‘Waltzing Along’ was another welcome surprise, before the band launched into three consecutive tracks from Laid: ‘One of the Three’, ‘Everybody Knows’ and ‘Five-O’. Always a live highlight, largely thanks to Saul’s violin intro, the latter somehow surpassed its usual brilliance. Saul’s solo ended with such dramatic flair that it extended into thespace beforeTim’s vocals, with Saul filling the moment by plucking at the violin strings.
‘Say Something’ came next. A perennial crowd favourite, it took on a slightly different feel this time, with Tim delivering his vocals from the stage rather than embarking on his customary walkabout. He then left the stage, handing the spotlight to Chloe for ‘Skindiving’.
Two tracks from Yummy made the set: ‘Stay’ and ‘Way Over Your Head’. Although ‘Stay’ had featured in the soundcheck in Perth, this was its first appearance in an Australian live set. ‘Way Over Your Head’, meanwhile, wasn’t originally on the setlist, but the band decided to add it on the spot – and what a decision it proved to be. Beautiful from beginning to end, the song was a real highlight. Given the enthusiastic reception it receives in the UK, it was remarkable to see it connect so strongly with an audience on the other side of the world, particularly for a song that has only been out for a couple of years. It also remains the only song the band have performed at every show this year, excluding the album launch shows and documentary premiere.
‘PS’, ‘Lullaby’ and ‘Out to Get You’ were grouped together, creating a delicate interlude that brought a welcome stillness to the set. It was an opportunity for the band to showcase their musicianship, with the audience so quiet that you could hear a pin drop. ‘PS’ is always a particular highlight in a live setting. Its mellow drum pattern and gentle guitar introduction gradually build in intensity before the band converge, with Saul’s breathtaking violin work taking centre stage – so electrifying that you could almost see the smoke rising from the strings.
The main set closed with ‘Sound’, another track making its first appearance of the tour. Andy delivered his soaring trumpet solo from among the seats, sending the crowd into a frenzy as the band watched on from the stage with smiles on their faces. Andy is living proof that showmanship isn’t reserved for frontmen.
Returning for the encore, the band launched into ‘Nantucket’, with Tim explaining that although the song remains unreleased, they’re confident enough in it to give it a place in the encore. ‘Getting Away With It’ followed before the night drew to a close with ‘Laid’. At Tim’s encouragement, the crowd began singing before he joined in, making his way over to acknowledge and show his appreciation for the sign language interpreter at the front of the stage. It was a fittingly warm end to a memorable night in Melbourne.
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