LIVE: Alexisonfire at Fortitude Music Hall

15 March 2025 – Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane – words by Lucas Bell – pictures by Bec Harbour

One of the biggest double bill headline shows of 2025 took place last night at The Fortitude Music Hall, as Canadian post hardcore legends, Alexisonfire, teamed with Floridian metalcore crew Underoath, to bring some crazy nostalgia to Australia. These shows were originally scheduled as a mega show at the Riverstage last weekend, but due to Brisbane being battered by Cyclone Alfred, the show was thought to be lost. However, Alexisonfire, Underoath, and supporting act Gel figured out a way to make Brisbane a must see event, splitting the one Riverstage show into two nights, and we were lucky enough to be there for night one.

New Jersey hardcore act Gel were out first at 8pm, and they were sick. A band I’ve never heard of before this tour, I found out later it was formed as a side project of another band I do know, Sick Shit. They were on for about 30 minutes, but absolutely crushed, as the crowd poured into the venue. The band didn’t do much talking, but instead let the music talk for them. Couldn’t name a song that played, but the crowd didn’t care as there was crowd killing, surfing, and some hectic mosh pits. Super fun band I hope we see back in Australia very soon.

Gel – Fortitude Music Hall – photos by Bec Harbour

Right on time at 9pm, the lights dimmed, as Underoath drummer Aaron Gillespie walked out to the kit, and started singing ‘Some Will Seek Forgiveness, Others Escape’, as the band one by one started making their way on stage. These shows were advertised as the band playing They’re Only Chasing Safety in its entirety. So opening with ‘Forgiveness’ seemed odd, as it’s the final track on the record. But if anything, it was the perfect tone setter for the entire show. Once ‘Forgiveness’ ended, the rest of the album was played in order.

‘A Boy Brushed Red Living in Black and White’ and ‘The Impact of Reason’ whipped the crowd into a frenzy. Before ‘Reinventing Your Exit’, lead vocalist Spencer Chamberlain spoke on the rescheduled shows due to Cyclone Alfred, and mentioned they should be back on a plane back to Tampa right now, but they didn’t want to miss spending time in Brisbane. ‘The Blue Note’ played as a backing track over the speakers, before they ripped through ‘It’s Dangerous Business Walking Out Your Front Door’ (the drowning in my sleep lines went off huge with the crowd), ‘Down, Set, Go’, and ‘I Don’t Feel Very Receptive Today’.

Underoath – Fortitude Music Hall – photos by Bec Harbour

Chamberlain spoke again on Cyclone Alfred, mentioning a story where while they were in Perth, their driver mentioned to the band what was going on, and if they could try to make Brisbane happen, to do so. And so that’s how the two shows tonight and tomorrow happened. Chamberlain also teased a return sooner, rather than later, since their new record drops in a few weeks. They closed off the Safety setlist with ‘I’m Content with Losing’, before doing another four songs.

Two of the songs were from the new record, The Place After This One (All The Love Is Gone and Generation No Surrender), and the other two songs were Define the Great Line (In Regards to Myself and Writing on the Walls). I’ve never really been a massive fan of Underoath. Seen them a few times on other shows, and they’ve never really done anything for me. But this performance was so good, I might have to go back over their discography and give them another go. Great show. Great set. Amazing performance.

Underoath – Fortitude Music Hall – photos by Bec Harbour

10:30pm rolled around, and the crowd felt really drained. 10:30pm is too late for a headliner, and there were a heap of kids there that I’m sure parents were expecting the show wrapped up by 11pm. But the moment the lights dimmed for Alexisonfire, the place immediately woke up, as the band walked on and started the show up with ‘Young Cardinals’. Alexisonfire aren’t here promoting new material, so this show was legitimately a Greatest Hits set, and it was insane. ‘Sweet Dreams of Otherness’ got just as loud of a reaction as the deep cuts they played tonight, and considering it’s a slower, newer song, the fact it was getting so much love made me so happy. ‘Hey, It’s Your Funeral Mama’ felt like the first of many really deep cuts for the night, and I don’t think anyone was expecting it either.

Alexisonfire – Fortitude Music Hall – photos by Bec Harbour

‘Boiled Frogs’ was up next, and it’s one of my favorite Alexisonfire songs. It’s been a setlist staple since it dropped in 2009, and is so fun live. ‘Sans Soleil’ brought the mood back down with another massive sing along, and ‘It Was Fear of Myself That Made Me Odd’ drew another massive reaction, as another song I don’t think people were expecting. ‘We Are the Sound’ again pulled another massive singalong, before lead vocalist George Pettit talked about the next song being a classic Alexisonfire track, that’s as old as the band is. ‘Little Girls Pointing and Laughing’ then played, which some people were super into, but by this point, a lot of people in the venue seemed to start to lose energy.

Today was also drummer Jordan Hastings birthday, so the band lead a sing along for him, before the band blasted through the back end of the main setlist, which included ‘Born and Raised’, ‘Drunks, Lovers, Sinners and Saints’ (Pettit screamed the title of the song before it played, and then said “Let’s hear you cunts”), ‘Blue Spade’, which transitioned perfectly into the intro to ‘This Could Be Anywhere in the World’, and ‘Accidents’, which is my other favorite Alexisonfire track. The woah-oh sing along in this song was massive, and you felt the energy immediately pick up during ‘Anywhere in the World’, and carry the rest of the show. 

Alexisonfire – Fortitude Music Hall – photos by Bec Harbour

The band came back on for the encore, where Pettit asked the crowd to put their hands together for Gel and Underoath. Pettit mentioned that they didn’t want to miss Brisbane, and that these shows were rescheduled and planned last minute at great expense to the bands. That’s how badly they wanted to play in Brisbane again. Pettit then asked the crowd to put their hands together for Alexisonfire, “who are the band currently playing right now”, as the crowd laughed and cheered, before the final three songs kicked off. The final deep cut of the night was the first encore song, ‘A Dagger Through the Heart of St. Angeles’, and ‘Dog’s Blood’ had a circle pit running before the song even started. Right before the breakdown, Pettit screamed for Brisbane to fuck this place up. ‘Happiness by the Kilowatt’ closed the show, with Pettit bending mic stands over his head. Alexisonfire have had a loving relationship with Australia for years. Fingers crossed they’re back soon.

Alexisonfire – Fortitude Music Hall – photos by Bec Harbour