6 June 2025 – The Tivoli, Brisbane – words and pictures by Bec Harbour
Brisbane’s Tivoli was bursting at the seams Friday night as Short Stack delivered a riotous, nostalgia-fuelled set that proved they’re still a vital force in the Australian pop-punk scene. Fifteen years have passed since they released Stack is the New Black, and while the bouffant hair and eyeliner has been replaced by a more comfortable looking stage-look for the band, the fans have not forgotten and every shade of hair colour, hundreds of pairs of Chucks and some super skinny jeans paraded through the Tivoli’s doors.
But before the headliners even stepped foot on stage, the local support was already setting the tone.
Days Like These – Tivoli – photos by Bec Harbour
Opening the night was Brisbane’s Days Like These, bringing a punchy mix of alt-rock hooks and heartfelt lyrics. Their infectious energy and tight musicianship quickly won over early arrivals, earning more than a few new fans.
Following them, Friends of Friends amped things up with their slick, genre-bending blend of rock, electronic, and emo influences. Their set was explosive—equal parts polished and raw—and by the time they dropped their final track, the crowd was more than warmed up.
Friends of Friends – Tivoli – photos by Bec Harbour
Then came the main event.
Short Stack kicked things off with ‘Ladies & Gents’ immediately igniting the crowd in a frenzy of flailing limbs, flailing phones and screamed lyrics. It was the perfect reintroduction to a band that many in the room clearly grew up with. ‘Princess’ and ‘Shimmy’ and ‘Drop Dead Gorgeous’ followed in quick succession, and the nostalgia hit hard—but the band’s performance wasn’t just a trip down memory lane.
Frontman Shaun Diviney led the charge with charm and chaotic energy, backed by Andy Clemmensen’s ever-bouncy stage presence and Bradie Webb’s precision drumming. The chemistry was undeniable, even after a few years apart, they have come back (since 2020) seemingly more cohesive than ever, with Diviney reminding us that some of these songs were written when they were in highschool.
Short Stack – Tivoli – photos by Bec Harbour
A medley of songs was up next and watching the crowd, it’s easy to see why Short Stack sell out their tours, there is a very special place held for them in their fans hearts and watching the emotion on faces and the sing-along to every song was really amazing.
‘Armageddon’ was up next and a fan got her wish, holding her phone up with ‘AMY’ on there. The rest of the band retired, leaving drummer Bradie Webb to do an epic drum solo, intermingled with Daft Punk’s ‘Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger’.
Short Stack – Tivoli – photos by Bec Harbour
They were back out for ‘Thick As Thieves’ and ‘Shotgun Wedding’ then a shower of sparks lit up the stage for ‘Planets’ and the whole band departed the stage this time. And of course, it was just band peek-a-boo and they trouped back on for a very much appreciated encore. Kicking it off with ‘We Dance to a Different Disco Honey’ and flowing through to ‘Back Of My Head’.
Unsurprisingly, ‘Sway Sway Baby!’ was the highlight they wrapped the night up with—crowd vocals drowning out the band as the floor practically bounced under the weight of hundreds of emo hearts singing in unison to a sparkler show once again.
Short Stack – Tivoli – photos by Bec Harbour
Between a stacked local line-up and Short Stack’s triumphant set, Friday night at the Tivoli was proof that emo isn’t just having a revival—it never really left. And if this gig is anything to go by, it’s still loud, still theatrical, and still very much alive.
Short Stack – Tivoli – photos by Bec Harbour
