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BANKS ARCADE
+ Earthcaller
+ Closure + Heartline
@ Max Watts, Melbourne,
24th May 2024
(Live Review)

Review by Bri Steele

Photos by Tristan Skell

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BANKS ARCADE / Photo – Tristan Skell

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With the drop of their newest EP “Death 2” earlier this year, self proclaimed alt “boyband” Banks Arcade decided to dazzle Australia and New Zealand with their “Death 2/A Muse” tour. The group has sparked something special in the local scene for the past few years, their experimental blend between dark pop, nu metal and classic metalcore makes listeners’ ears perk up, and invites a broad audience to come to their shows to check them out.

Despite it being a cold night, the city still bustled around the venue, Max Watts, located in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD. The venue takes you down three flights of stairs, into a surprisingly spacious layout, with a dip in the middle of the floor, making it perfect for a mosh. The room slowly started to come to life, and as everyone got their pints and slung their merch over their shoulders, it was time for the first set of the night.

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HEARTLINE / Photo – Tristan Skell

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Starting off the show was Adelaide’s Heartline, a young but up and coming band that captivated the audience with their passionate stage presence. They played their most recent release, “Lovers”, a polished, yet upscaled representation of their sound, an upbeat blend of  metalcore and proggy, glitchy breakdowns that provide a really fun opening set. Heartline are a hard working band, constantly touring with other beloved bands such as “Diamond Construct”, “Redhook” and “Thy Art Is Murder”, all this relentless dedication has paid off for the group since their debut in 2019, and they show no signs of slowing down any time soon.

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CLOSURE / Photo – Tristan Skell

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Next to the stage was Closure, a four piece emo/punk revival band. With three distinct vocalists, their tracks range from dreamy and melodic, to punching you in the guts with heart wrenching lyrics. Lucy May, the group’s lead singer, has an unforgettable voice that belts and soars above the screeching guitars and pulsating drum lines. I had the time of my life, bouncing along to tracks like “Bedroom” and “Bleed Out (No Wonder)”, the bands kinetic and youthful energy was palpable on stage, and I haven’t been able to stop playing their tracks on repeat since this set!

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EARTHCALLER / Photo – Tristan Skell

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As the headliner drew nearer, the last support act on stage was Earth Caller. Branding themselves as “Melbourne’s Metalcore-Mafia”, their presence did not go unnoticed on stage. The crowd began circling the pit, as lead singer Josh Collard prowled from one side of the stage to the other, shattering the room with his torrential screams. Halfway through their set, they welcomed to the stage their new vocalist, a masked, mysterious figure behind a keyboard. They played through their most recent single, “Breed Consume Die”, which rattled the venue with its presence. Through friendly banter between himself and the crowd, and a super fan and him sharing a few moments throughout the set, you can see the fervent love the group have for what they do.

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BANKS ARCADE / Photo – Tristan Skell

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Beckoning the band to the stage, a series of clips swirled around a large screen at the back of the stage. Eyes pried open, that are then multiplied, that then dissolves into silhouettes, all as the band slowly take their places on stage. The instrumental intro gradually whirred into “Worship the Internet”, starting with thrashing drumming and verses filled with edgy techno trilling and sharp lyrics. The entire room resonated with the bands vibrancy, the audience singing along occasionally peaked above the bands playing. Joshua O’Donnel’s vocals have a broad range, from raw screaming, to fluent rapping and ethereal high notes, following with his posing showmanship, the flexibility is nothing short of impressive.

The band played many of their other hits, like “Roulette,” “Heartstop,” and “More Want,” and with each song, the energy in the venue only amped up higher and higher. The crowd, a diverse mix of demographics, was completely enamored by the band’s electrifying presence on stage, headbanging along to every beat. The raw, visceral energy of the performance was tangible, hitting the audience with a force that kept everyone moshing non-stop. The atmosphere was charged with an intensity that made each moment unforgettable.

Closing out the set with the emotional anthem “Self Help” was a fantastic choice. The gritty breakdowns in the song ensured the energy remained ramped up to 100, leaving the crowd exhilarated. As fans trickled out of the venue, smiles plastered on their faces, it was clear that the night had been a resounding success. With their roots already deeply embedded in our local music scene, it’s only a matter of time before Banks Arcade becomes an international phenomenon. Their unique sound and compelling stage presence promise to captivate audiences far beyond our borders. The performance was a testament to their undeniable talent and potential for global stardom.

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BANKS ARCADE / Photo – Tristan Skell

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Check out Tristan Skell’s full gallery of this show HERE

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BANKS ARCADE / Photo – Tristan Skell

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Follow BANKS ARCADE

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BANKS ARCADE / Photo – Tristan Skell

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Press Release 14th May 2024 (below) HERE

BANKS ARCADE
announces brand new EP
A MUSE
due out June 28

Band shares new single
HEARTSTOP

Touring Nationally
this May

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AMNPLIFY – DB