28 August 2024 – Forum, Melbourne – words and pictures by Luci Scott
Wednesday night at The Forum was nothing short of electric, with Stand Atlantic headlining an unforgettable show supported by Vana and Sly Withers. If you haven’t yet discovered Vana, prepare to be blown away. Her infectious hooks and insane energy had the crowd hooked from the get-go. It’s hard to believe she’s not already a staple on everyone’s playlists.
L-R Vana – Sly Withers – Forum – photos by Luci Scott
Sly Withers, a band I’ve seen multiple times, delivered their best performance yet. There’s something about The Forum that amplifies everything—sound, atmosphere, and the sheer experience of live music. It’s easily one of the best venues to see any band, and Sly Withers took full advantage.
But let’s talk about Stand Atlantic. From the moment they hit the stage, they were on fire. Kicking things off with the live debut of ‘Wake Up, Sit Down, Shut Up’ was a bold move that paid off big time. The energy was intense, and it only grew as they rolled into older favorites like ‘Hair Out’ and ‘Jurassic Park’.
The night was packed with surprises, including the live debut of ‘Kissin’ Killer Cobras’ and a killer run through ‘Warzone” and “Switchblade’. The energy was relentless until they slowed things down with ‘Toothpick’ which turned into an unexpected yet awesome cross cover of Train’s ‘Drops of Jupiter’.
Stand Atlantic – Forum – photos by Luci Scott
A heartfelt moment came when Bonnie introduced ‘Love You Anyway’, explaining it was the first love song she ever wrote—and then they broke up. The vulnerability in that moment was palpable and added depth to an already emotional song.
The highlight for me was the live debut of ‘Nose Bleed’ one of the best tracks from the new album. Hearing it live was a whole new level—better than I could have imagined. Vana’s return to the stage for ‘Pity Party’ brought the energy back up, followed by the explosive ‘Dumb’. Emmy Mack’s guest appearance in ‘Criminal’ was another highlight, before the band closed the main set with ‘Deathwish’.
But it wasn’t just about the music; the show was filled with unique moments that made it unforgettable. At one point, dancers were traveling over the crowd in blow-up boats, throwing out T-shirts, turning the venue into a wild, interactive experience. And just before the encore, the band held a raffle for merch purchases, which was easily the funniest yet most down-to-earth thing I’ve ever seen at a show. It was a reminder of how genuine and connected Stand Atlantic is with their fans.
Stand Atlantic – Forum – photos by Luci Scott
The encore was everything fans could have hoped for, with ‘Coffee at Midnight’ and ‘Girls’ wrapping up the night on a euphoric high. Throughout the show, the stage was alive with pole dancers and CO2 guns, turning the entire night into one massive party.
In short, Stand Atlantic absolutely crushed it at The Forum, delivering a night that no one in the crowd will forget anytime soon. If you missed it, don’t sleep on getting tickets next time—this is a band you need to see live.
