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THE LIVING END
+ Pleasants
@ Fremantle Prison
29th November 2025
(Live Review)

Review by Amy Smith

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With 8 years between studio albums, Australian rock icons The Living End stormed back on the scene earlier this year with I Only Trust Rock n Roll. The new collection of songs have a strong blues rock, more garage sound akin to their earlier material, and a less mainstream sound than their more recent material. So it made perfect sense to team celebrating the release of the new record with celebrating the 20th anniversary of 1998’s debut  self-titled album. For West Australians, what a unique environment to witness this grand spectacle! It is absolutely no surprise that tickets to the Fremantle Prison show were snapped up in no time. Keep reading to discover how both the band and punters took full advantage of this unique experience.

“That’s a fuckin’ cool guitar! It’s a surfboard!” An excited voice from the crowd howled as  local opening act Pleasants took their positions on the stage. Raw, energetic, garage rock tunes filled the prison courtyard as the crowd, slowly flowed through the gates. Alex (guitar, lead vocals), Matt (guitar, backing vocals), Indigo (bass), and Alec (drums) carry a DIY, rough-around-the-edges energy, reminiscent of bands like Ramones, The Undertones and The Scientists.  Pleasents clearly aren’t ones for stage banter.  Frontman, Alex, introduced the songs with very simple sentences, often forgetting to include the actual title of the songs. “This one’s fairly new” introduced Zig Zag Situation. “Here’s an old one” introduced another song (of which I don’t know the name, thank you Alex). “This one’s a cover, it’s by the Troggs” introduced With a Girl Like You. During a short pause, Alex needed to take the time to re-tune his guitar. Matt simply looked out at the audience, quickly glanced at Alex and then back at the audience and laughed “Fuckin’ new strings aye!?”. They also weren’t a band for grand showmanship theatrics, not moving far from the positions they had planted themselves in upon entering the stage.

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THE LIVING END @ Hindley Street Music Hall, Adelaide, 14th November 2025 / Photo – @oz.craftypics

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A stark contrast from veterans The Living End who have been one of Australia’s best live bands since they exploded on the scene in the 90’s. Tonight, over 20 years later they showed no signs of slowing down, if anything they have moved away from the commercial polish of the past few albums, returning to their more energetic, raw roots. The boys may be in their 50’s now but Scott is still slinging that double bass all over the stage like it is nothing, Andy is still pounding those skins with energy that would rival others many years his junior and Chris masterfully plays his guitar, effortlessly switching between styles; Elements of Blues, Jazz, Folk, Pop, Punk/Hard rock can be heard. All this while running around the stage, jumping on Scott’s bass or off Andy’s drum riser. He makes it look so easy, but it is really not! The sound these boys create is so full that it is really hard to believe that it is just 3 people up there creating it.

As advertised we were in for a solid TWO FULL HOURS of The Living End mayhem, split over two sets. The first set included a good collection of new songs from recently released ‘I Only Trust Rock n Roll’ including: Alfie, Roller,  Strange Place and Misery. I felt it a bit strange to leave I Only Trust Rock and Roll off the I Only Trust Rock and Roll tour! However, amongst classics like Pictures In The Mirror, How Do We Know? and Who’s Gonna Save Us?, we were also treated to a couple of rarities. Tracks from 2006’s State Of Emergency are seldom played so it was a pleasant surprise to hear deep cut Nothing Lasts Forever. We were also gifted with a track from their 2nd EP It’s for Your Own Good, ‘From Here On In’. Given the unique venue, The Living End pulled out a cover of the appropriately named ‘On The Inside’, the theme song from 80’s TV Soap Opera Prisoner. This clearly amused the Gen X’ers in the crowd!

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After a quick 10-minute intermission the screen on stage began broadcasting footage a young The Living End playing live shows, being interviewed at the Big Day Out festival and receiving Aria awards. It was a perfect, nostalgic prelude to the second half of the show, playing the debut self-titled album in full! It was on! Straight into a passionate sing-along of Prisoner of Society! The collective energy did not wane, and in fact, seemed to grow as the band churned out classic after classic. Songs such as Growing Up (Falling Down), Second Solution, All Torn Down, Monday and Save The Day, had the crowd screaming so loud we just about drowned out the band!

The Living End clearly feed off the audience’s energy and give back what is given to them. When they entered the stage at the beginning of the night, it was with this slick Rock’n’Roll swagger, that while good, felt more performative. As the show went on, the energy felt more natural, as if we really got to see their natural, unique personalities. We love to see the authentic cheekiness come through! At one point, Chris turned to Scott and asked how he was feeling. “It feels like we are right back in 1998!” He exclaimed! He then continued “So much so that it smells like weed again”. Scott requested the fan to“Throw it up here!” While Chris affirmed “Sharing is caring!”

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THE LIVING END @ Hindley Street Music Hall, Adelaide, 14th November 2025 / Photo – @oz.craftypics

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The unique venue setting added an extra layer of entertainment. It was hilarious to hear songs such as Prisoner of Society, West End Riot, Hold Up and Who’s Gonna Save Us?  in the prison setting. Scott was clearly having fun with the prison theme, constantly throwing out one liners such as “It’s great to have a captive audience!”. It wasn’t all fun and games though as it became apparent the was an actual pick pocket in our area.  This was slightly humorous, given the environment we were in, but also a bittersweet reminder to always be aware of your surroundings!

Tonights concert experience truly spanned the full history of the band; From their beginnings right through to their present. There really wasn’t more that a hardcore fan of The Living End could ask for! Many of the people in tonight’s Audience have seen them multiple times over the years and would all agree that there has never once been a bad performance… the boys give it their all every single time and that’s why we will continue to keep coming back! Tonight proved that the Living End are not a nostalgia act, they are still going and stronger than ever!

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Check out Michael Selge’s (@oz.craftypics) full gallery of the 14th November show HERE

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THE LIVING END @ Hindley Street Music Hall, Adelaide, 14th November 2025 / Photo – @oz.craftypics

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Follow THE LIVING END
You Tube – Instagram – Facebook
Spotify – Apple Music

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Press Release 17th October 2025 (below) HERE

RIVERBOATS
MUSIC FESTIVAL
returns in 2026 with
THE LIVING END,
BAKER BOY, CASH SAVAGE,
XAVIER RUDD + more!

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AMNPLIFY – DB