19 February 2026 – Brisbane Entertainment Centre – words by Maxine Thomas
Good Charlotte, the band that never dies. A fact merely proven by the array of ages and eclectics who filled the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on Thursday night. From kids who were up way past their bedtime to even the oldest of rockers, this packed line-up brought in every type of music lover you could think of. From Parker’s synth pop, Kisschasy’s alt-rock call to arms, to Yellowcard awakening everyone’s inner emo and Good Charlotte setting the bar high for 2026 concert productions; the ‘Motel Du Cap 2026 Aus Tour’ in Brisbane was a fiery show to behold.
Reigning from the Gold Coast at just 18 years old, frat rock artist Sam Lethbridge, better known as his stage name Parker opened the night alongside his band. With a bit more of a laid back vibe compared to acts which were to come, Parker serenaded those who had chosen to secure up-and-close barrier spots. Unfortunately for concert-goers who had decided to jump into merch lines, due to merchandise only being available inside the venue at door time, there wasn’t as big of a crowd as there could’ve been for the young Surfside local.
Having been discovered at just 14 years of age by Joel Madden, Lethbridge awaited the day of graduating high school so he could start kicking off his music dreams under ‘MDDN Records’ bringing him to this very moment. Performing love songs dripping with reminiscence, Parker could hardly believe he was now the one in the spotlight in front of a crowd he’d once stood in himself to watch Guns & Roses back in 2013.
If Cigarettes After Sex made music to dance to, this would be it. Groovy analog guitar riffs and a euphoric soundscape set the tone for the start of the evening, filling punters with just the right amount of energy they would need to get moving for fellow Aussie act Kisschasy.
As the catchy beat of ‘This Bed’ broke through the seals of the BEC main stage, concertgoers rushed down the stairs with food and drinks in hand to catch infamous Melbourne four-piece Kisschasy. After the recent successful release of the album which brought the alternative-rock group back together; The Terrors of Comfort, it’s no wonder the room filled up as fast as it did. Die-hard fans could’ve only dreamed of seeing the day come when they could see their icons live once again and there was no better tour for it.
Lead singer and rhythm guitarist Darren (Daz) Cordeux was one of the only artists that night to make the most of the lower stage platform to get closer to fans, hoping to make up for all the time lost during the band’s split. Perth was merely a warm up compared to the energy being brought by Brisbane Chasers, there was even a guy with a groin injury in the crowd proudly holding a sign to tell everyone about it. Although struggling with a slightly hoarse voice, Cordeux kept the hype train going with new songs and old classics like ‘Opinions Won’t Keep You Warm At Night.’ Fans on this tour have the chance to purchaselimited vinyl prints of ‘The Terrors of Comfort’ at the merch stand so for those attending future tour dates, be sure to get your hands on those whilst you can.
Being emo was never just a phase and truly is a lifestyle no one can deny and Yellowcard were here with the receipts. Not only did they awaken the emo hearts in the crowd with their staple song ‘Ocean Avenue,’ but by god did they bring the stage production to the next level. From one digital backdrop screen for Parker and Kisschasy turned to a multi screen glitch fest giving audience members at the back of the room an even better view of the band members.
Yellowcard are a one in a million stand out act bringing the art of the violin to the pop-punk forefront with backing vocalist Sean Mackin shredding away like a Lindsey Stirling dupe. Aussie supporters of the Jacksonville outfit have been lucky enough to get the chance to see Yellowcard twice in less than a year after having just done their own headline tour in April 2025 alongside Motion City Soundtrack and Plain White T’s. But these guys aren’t done with Australia yet, with frontman William Key teasing yet another possible Australian tour to celebrate their ‘Better Days’ album which was released in October last year.
Using this tour to debut the live performance of ‘Love Letters Lost,’ a song which truly goes off live with head banging instrumentals, how a circle pit didn’t open at least once is a wonder within itself. With the ‘Motel Du Cap’ shows taking the cake for some of the biggest Yellowcard have ever played in 25 years of touring, it comes to show just why these four punkers couldn’t turn down the opportunity to come back to Australian shores so soon.
As if the night couldn’t get any wilder and production rich, Good Charlotte were here on business to make a statement. GOOD CHARLOTTE WILL NEVER DIE. With flame jets blasting, sparklers igniting, stage rises now turned screen extension and a drone whizzing around the room capturing every angle a cameraman could dream of, the ‘Motel Du Cap 2026 Aus Tour’ is truly the anthem of rock music stage productions.
The Maryland ensemble went all in on the classics straight away, opening with ‘The River’ and ‘I Don’t Wanna Be In Love (Dance Floor Anthem).’ Some attendees did report after the show how maybe it was too early into the show to get that heavy with the hits but honestly, it was probably the best way to lead into the newer music side of things. Giving audience members a reminder of where it all started and showing the younger generation of children parents had brought out to the show, a glimpse of an iconic music past.
You gotta give it to the Good Charlotte boys as well as there was no holding back on celebrating up and coming Aussie artists with lead guitarist Billy Martin repping Sydney metal band Diamond Construct and Joel Madden name dropping long time friends in Chase Atlantic. Having co-written the song ‘Bodies’ with Clinton Cave and him attending the show that night, it seemed like a set-up for Cave to join the Madden Brothers on stage to perform the newer hit however this did not occur. With how much Australia changed their lives through radio play, Good Charlotte strive to repay their gratitude by showing as much love as possible by shining light on upcoming Aussie acts.
From music filled with deep honesty to Benji Madden’s comedically timed responses, these rock heroes put on a show for all the family too experience and remember as the best Good Charlotte show they’ve ever been to. With Parker easing live-music fans in with his synthetic pop sound, Kisschasy making a return of the century with new music, to Yellowcard putting a classic spin on alternative music and Good Charlotte bringing out all the classic hits, the ‘Motel Du Cap 2026 Aus Tour’ is one of the most successful tours to date so far this year.
With the tour continuing on in Bendigo on Saturday, before hitting Sydney the following week and finishing up in Auckland, Good Charlotte fans are in for the night of a lifetime.
Be sure to check out the latest release of ‘Bedroom Posters’ by Yellowcard featuring Good Charlotte. Available on all streaming platforms now.
