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THE LEMONHEADS
+ Garage Sale
@ The Croxton Bandroom,
Melbourne,
16th May 2025
(Live Review)

Review and photos by Michael Gow (@alchemi_glow_music_phot)

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THE LEMONHEADS / Photo – @alchemi_glow_music_phot

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It’s been a long time coming—over 30 years—since I first discovered The Lemonheads through their now-iconic Simon & Garfunkel cover of Mrs. Robinson. While they don’t play it too often live, tonight, if it’s left off the setlist, it’ll be totally fine. The spotlight is instead on two of their most beloved albums: It’s a Shame About Ray and Come On Feel The Lemonheads, both performed in full. This will be my first time seeing the band live, and I already know it’ll be a night to remember—etched into the memories of everyone lucky enough to attend.

The crowd tonight spans generations, proving the timelessness of The Lemonheads’ music. It’s heartening to see how songs from one era can carry forward and resonate just as deeply with new listeners.

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GARAGE SALE / Photo – @alchemi_glow_music_phot

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Kicking off the night—and the only support act, which is a rare but welcome choice—was local Melbourne/Naarm band Garage Sale. Their ‘90s-infused rock sound, with a modern emo twist, hit with waves of nostalgia. As soon as they stepped on stage, I was transported back to my teenage years, with bands like Veruca Salt and The Flaming Lips coming to mind. Garage Sale has that same raw energy and melodic edge, but with a fresh spin.

One benefit of having just one support act tonight was that the band was pushed closer to the front of the stage, giving fans a more intimate experience—especially with the drummer, who was right up close. He was a standout: pounding the drums so hard at times, it felt like he could’ve been in a metal band. Yet, that intensity never overshadowed the tone or emotional depth of their music.

Their set struck a nice balance between slower, chilled tracks and upbeat, fast-paced ones. Song after song brought me back to the ’90s, making it clear why they were chosen to support The Lemonheads on this Melbourne leg of the tour. Another great touch: vocals rotated between the guitarists and bassist, adding variety and richness to the performance. If you’re a ’90s alt-rock fan and want to experience that era through a rising band, I highly recommend checking them out on streaming services—and catching them live next time they play.

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GARAGE SALE / Photo – @alchemi_glow_music_phot

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Then came the moment we were all waiting for—The Lemonheads. This was the second of three shows at The Croxton, following a Wednesday night opener. They kicked things off with It’s a Shame About Ray played in its entirety. Having peeked at earlier setlists, I had an idea of what was coming, but the magic of live performance always brings surprises.

At one point, Evan Dando paused to share how incredible it felt to be in Australia performing both albums in full—a special moment for the crowd. We were treated to more than just the main albums. Evan delivered a beautiful acoustic rendition of The Outdoor Type (a Smudge cover from Car Button Cloth), followed by a haunting version of Townes Van Zandt’s Snow Don’t Fall, and another Smudge cover, Divan—which appeared on the 30th anniversary edition of It’s a Shame About Ray. They closed the first half with a gritty take on Skulls by The Misfits.

After a short break, the band returned to play Come On Feel The Lemonheads in full. Opening with The Great Big No, they quickly followed with one of their biggest hits—Into Your Arms (a Love Positions cover)—sparking immediate cheers from the crowd. The set continued with another Smudge cover (Bangenouj) and Tim Hardin’s Tribute to Hank Williams.

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THE LEMONHEADS / Photo – @alchemi_glow_music_phot

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A notable moment came during Down About It, when Evan had to restart the song—a rare, raw moment that only added to the authenticity of the night. These weren’t polished, perfect renditions—they were real, heartfelt, and for us. During Big Gay Heart, the band paused to let the audience sing the chorus back, creating a joyful communal vibe.

Fitting two full albums into one set meant it was a long night, with bonus tracks added from other releases. Surprisingly, Mrs. Robinson was left off the setlist—but after a show like this, it’s hard to complain. That said, I’m sure a few fans were quietly hoping to hear it live.

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THE LEMONHEADS / Photo – @alchemi_glow_music_phot

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The final songs of the set included 2024 single Fear of Living (from the Fear of Living EP), Deep End (a brand-new track from their just-released double A-side single Deep End / Sad Cinderella), and, finally, the fan-favorite If I Could Talk I’d Tell You. After that, the band quietly left the stage—no encore, no farewell—just the house music fading in as fans began to file out. It felt a bit abrupt, but given the length of the set and tight scheduling, it was understandable. Evan spoke briefly between songs throughout the night, but the music was clearly the priority.

Final Thoughts:

If you ever get the chance to see The Lemonheads live, take it. Even if they don’t play the exact songs you hope for, the experience is something special—blending nostalgia with fresh energy and timeless songwriting. Nights like this remind us why we fall in love with music in the first place.

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THE LEMONHEADS / Photo – @alchemi_glow_music_phot

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Check out Michael Gow’s (@alchemi_glow_music_phot) full gallery of this event HERE

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THE LEMONHEADS / Photo – @alchemi_glow_music_phot

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Follow THE LEMONHEADS
Website – Instagram – Facebook – Spotify

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THE LEMONHEADS / Photo – @alchemi_glow_music_phot

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Press Release 27th March 2025 (below) HERE

THE LEMONHEADS
add new shows to
2025 Australian Tour

Performing
IT’S A SHAME ABOUT RAY
+ COME ON FEEL
THE LEMONHEADS
in Full

Handsome & Double J present:

THE LEMONHEADS

Performing It’s a Shame About Ray
+ Come On Feel the Lemonheads in Full

Wednesday 14 May – Croxton Bandroom, Melbourne – NEW SHOW!
Friday 16 May – Croxton Bandroom, Melbourne – SOLD OUT
Saturday 17 May – Croxton Bandroom, Melbourne – SOLD OUT
Sunday 18 May – Princess Theatre, Brisbane – SELLING FAST!
Tuesday 20 May – Enmore Theatre, Sydney – VENUE UPGRADE!
Thursday 22 May – The Gov, Adelaide – SELLING FAST!
Friday 23 May – Freo.Social, Perth – SOLD OUT
Saturday 24 May – Metropolis, Fremantle – NEW SHOW!

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AMNPLIFY – DB