Review: BIRD’S ROBE The 15th Birthday Tour Night 1 - Live in Brisbane
Are You Interested?
Friday 5th December 2025
Written by Tom Wilson
Photographed by: Rashid AlKamraikhi
A label specialising in prog and experimental music, Bird’s Robe is turning fifteen, and tonight is the first half of two massive celebrations held at Brisbane’s Brightside.
Both the indoor and outdoor stages are in use, and it’s down to ECHOTIDE to kick things off in the main room, as their languid, atmospheric soundscapes resonate up through the tiered levels towards the bar. They give thanks to Bird’s Robe owner Mike, while also suggesting that he works too hard and he should get some sleep sometime between now and next year. It’s a nice sentiment, but somehow I don’t see it happening.
I head out to behold the Brightside Outdoor Stage for the first time, and it’s quite unusual. The stage is much higher than normal, which means that for the first time ever, I don’t have to agonise over whether or not I’m blocking people’s view. This is a good thing, because what I see next has me so transfixed I wouldn’t move out of your way for anything. Performing for the first time in ten years, Sydney prog crew SQUAT CLUB are spread out equidistant onstage, the drummer set up so we can watch him in profile. There’s a joke to be made of a gym bro raving about a band called SQUAT CLUB, but it’ll have to wait, because they were incredible, and I’ve got some raving to do! Another instrumental act, the absence of vocals has me watching their hands at work without distraction, and it feels like a privilege to watch them conjuring musical spells like the brilliant Reticulum. We go from a whisper to a cacophony and back again, and it’s a struggle to stay in the moment and not get distracted thinking of ways to describe what I’m witnessing. I would liken seeing this set to watching SECRET CHIEFS 3 at The Triffid recently. An absolutely jaw-dropping display of musicianship, and one of my favourite sets of the year.
Image: ECHOTIDE
Image: ECHOTIDE
Image: SQUAT CLUB
Image: SQUAT CLUB
Next up is KODIAK EMPIRE, who Sense last saw opening for headliners COG on their Vinyl Tour. The first band tonight with a vocalist, his voice unfurls towards the rafters as they showcase latest release The Great Acceleration. Their drummer is taking a note out of Lucius Borich’s book hammering out polyrhythms while doing backing vocals on a swinging mic, and their keyboardist shows off some impressive chops. Man, we really have some talented bands in this country, don’t we?
There is a bit of confusion, as Americans CASPIAN are due to perform outside, but plans have changed, and Sense makes our way inside to see the club absolutely rammed as punters bear witness to a prog spectacle. I’ve often wondered what people my height would look like onstage, and I get my answer as I watch guitarist Phillip Jamieson cutting shapes on a stage bathed in crimson light, looking like a post rock version of Slenderman as they hold the Brightside under their spell.
Image: KODIAK EMPIRE
Image: KODIAK EMPIRE
Image: CASPIAN
Image: CASPIAN
We head back outside as HAZARDS OF SWIMMING NAKED take the stage, which features two familiar faces in Brenton and Chrispy from Brisbane larrikins OSAKA PUNCH, and it’s time for another masterclass. Originally slated to perform indoors, they are clearly thrilled with the upgrade, even if they can’t believe how many pairs of eyes are watching them. “There’s a lot of you,” they laugh between songs, but it clearly doesn’t throw them off, because their music enthrals. As their set ends, I’m no closer to understanding why you shouldn’t swim without your clothes on, but I’ve had a brilliant time, and they say a quick goodbye before scrambling to get their gear offstage for the main event.
The lights go down, and the synthesised beeps and pulses of Jean-Michel Jarre’s Oxygène ring out from the PA, setting the stage for tonight’s headliners, who emerge to a roar and plunge straight into Doors. Currently touring new single Walk the Line around Australia, COG singer-guitarist Flynn Gower tells the audience that, while they have heaps of songs written, it’s a relief to actually finish one. That just goes to show that their level of quality control is so high, it can mean long periods between new music. Fortunately, it’s always worth the wait. He takes a moment after Are You Interested? to point out that the song is more relevant than ever in 2025, and having witnessed music tabloids try to take him down for COVID-related wrongthink in 2021, it’s hard to disagree, wherever you stood on that issue. Yes, they’re (still) making lists. Are you interested?
Image: HAZARDS OF SWIMMING NAKED
Image: COG
Image: HAZARDS OF SWIMMING NAKED
Image: COG
Bassist Luke Gower looks remarkably different these days, having traded the bushranger beard for an incredible 70s handlebar, and I am relieved to see that he appears free from the horrible limp I saw him hobbling around with on the Vinyl Tour. I am happy to report that some things haven’t changed, like his remarkable repertoire of stank faces and a playing style so unique that at one point Flynn steps back in awe, pointing him out to the audience in the universal sign for “Are you seeing this shit?” The brotherhood that exists between these three remarkable men is beautiful to see, but it extends beyond Luke and Flynn having the same parents. These guys have been playing music together for almost three decades, and the looks they trade during The Middle – a song written about how far they’ve come as men and as a band – could make you misty-eyed.
The crowd is clearly ready for COG tonight, but unfortunately, the security isn’t ready for the crowd. Possibly caught off-guard because prog fans aren’t known for crowd carnage, there is no security between the stage and audience, and as the first crowdsurfers come towards the barrier, they are in danger of being dropped head-first onto the concrete, so the sole guard next to the stage is forced to plead with people to lower them gently. It’s a dangerous situation, and one that should have been avoided. In thanking the crowd towards the end of their set, Flynn mentions that times are tough, and it means a lot that whenever they come through town, people scrounge up some money for a ticket, and that appreciation is shown through the very reasonable prices on their merch table tonight. After decades making noise together, it’s great to see that COG are still the people’s band.
Image: COG
Photos by: Rashid AlKamraikhi
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