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DIIV / Photo – @dapperdanphoto

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DIIV
@ Carriageworks, Sydney
13th June 2025
(Live Review)

Review  and photos by Dan Turner (@dapperdanphoto)

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DIIV / Photo – @dapperdanphoto

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Carriageworks was packed to the hilt when I arrived on Friday night for the four piece shoegaze/post punk outfit  from New York. The crowd was an interesting mix of all ages in a huge hall that seemed to never end and one could feel the anticipation in the air and see it on the faces of the fans. The band took to the stage with rapturous applause and went straight into their slow burner ‘In Amber’ from their latest album ‘Frog In Boiling Water’. Frontman and guitarist Zachary Cole Smith seemed very at ease on stage with a screen behind him projecting video and stills. They switched it up for ‘Like Before You Were Born’ from their 2019 album ‘Deceiver’ and lead guitarist Andrew Bailey cradles each note before letting it dissipate in a wall of feedback.

By this stage DIIV had the crowd in their hands whipping out the joyous banger ‘Under The Sun’ early on, met with contented nods and smiles on faces everywhere. ‘Somber the Drums’ from their latest album was pure perfection, allowing the drummer Ben Newman and bass player Colin Caulfield to shine and to take a quick selfie of the fans. For some light entertainment short videos and ads were projected between songs with Cole Smith endorsing various products with a tongue in cheek 90s vibe.

Towards the end they played the hypnotic ‘Blankenship’ that showcased both Bailey’s and Cole Smith’s guitar chops and ended with their 2012 classic ‘Doused’ which was shoegaze heaven and a perfect way to end the show.

DIIV are an enigma and seeing them play live one can catch a glimpse of their magic first hand.

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DIIV / Photo – @dapperdanphoto

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Check out Dan Turner’s (@dapperdanphoto) full gallery of this event HERE

Check out Adrian Thomson’s (@_awii_) full gallery of the Fremantle event (4th June, 2025) HERE

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DIIV / Photo – @dapperdanphoto

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Follow DIIV
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AMNPLIFY – DB