SAOSIN - Live In Brisbane
Losing Our Shit To The Hits
Wednesday 22nd April 2026
Written by Tom Wilson
Photographed by: Rashid AlKamraikhi
The support bands are a big part of the show, so we’re unfortunately a bit crushed to report that due to traffic delays getting into Brisbane, we’ve missed the majority of the opening set by Canadian/Australian post-hardcore troupe, FALLWEATHER.
We did, however, arrive just in time to see The Tivoli lit up by hundreds of mobile phone lights as they belt out their final song. It looks like a swarm of fireflies has just entered from stage left, and vocalist Cullen Forbes’ massive voice stretches out over our heads. They sound huge tonight, and I’m very keen to catch a full set when I get the chance.
Pictured: FALLWEATHER Photo credit: Unknown - Stolen from Facebook.
The scene kids have grown up, and are bringing the next generation into the fray. The Taste of Chaos festival from 2006 is spoken about reverently, like Woodstock for Aussie core kids. For a lot of people here tonight, that festival was their first time seeing both SENSES FAIL and SAOSIN, so having them both here tonight gives the bill a great sense of nostalgia. Frontman Buddy is as incorrigible as ever, and tells us that he’s come out onstage tonight with a clear goal in mind. “By the end of this, we’re going to be best friends. That’s my goal.” If his other goal was to burn some calories, he achieves that too, even finding room onstage to pull off a cartwheel! “The only people that are smiling at me and looking at me with love are the most beautiful people in the crowd. I’m not talking about the ladies. I’m talking about the big boys. Are there any big boys out there tonight?” The spotlight falls on all 6’7” of yours truly, and I can’t help but laugh. By the end of their set, I want to be buddies with Buddy, so mission accomplished!
Pictured: SENSES FAIL
Pictured: SENSES FAIL
Pictured: SENSES FAIL
Pictured: SENSES FAIL
It’s time for the main event, and The Tivoli roars as Orange County emo legends SAOSIN take to the stage and plunge into I Can Tell. Tonight is a celebration of their 2006 self-titled album, which is almost old enough to drink in California, and Cove Reber’s vocals are so massive we can barely hear the crowd singing every word back to him. Founding guitarist Beau Burchell greets the crowd. “I cannot even begin to describe how excited I am for us to be able to play these songs for you guys tonight.” From the answering roar, the feeling is mutual. “This record means a lot to us, and I hope it means a lot to you guys. I’m planning to lose my shit tonight.” Drummer Alex Rodriguez certainly does, and there is a brief pause in the set because he’s blown through his snare drum. This is the second time that’s happened on this tour, Beau tells us, and he asks the offstage drum tech to prepare some more just in case.
Pictured: SAOSIN
Pictured: SAOSIN
Pictured: SAOSIN
Pictured: SAOSIN
The crowd heaves and swells through a massive one-two punch of Collapse and Bury Your Head, before the band introduce the last three songs of the night. There will be no encore peekaboo, so the crowd eat up Some Sense of Security and 7 Years before Cove introduces the final song, telling us how many times fans have said that it saved them when they were in a bad place. They bring the night to a close with You’re Not Alone, their biggest track, and the emotion is palpable. For the SAOSIN faithful, this was the perfect ending, and there isn’t a dry eye in the house.
Pictured: SAOSIN
Photos by: Rashid AlKamraikhi
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