31 August 2024 – Forum, Melbourne – words and pictures by Luci Scott
Saturday night at The Forum was nothing short of monumental as Trophy Eyes delivered a sold- out show that left fans electrified. Even before the first note, the atmosphere was intense, with the line snaking up Hosier Lane, setting the tone for a massive night ahead.
Opening the night was Adelaide duo Towns, whose performance felt like anything but a warm-up act. Their humility was evident, yet they completely owned the stage with high energy and raw talent, making the room buzz with excitement. It was impressive to see just the two of them commanding the space like that.
Towns – Forum – photos by Luci Scott
Next up was Boston Manor, and for anyone who’s seen them before, this set was redemption. The last time I caught them in Brisbane, the crowd wasn’t as receptive, but this time, it was a whole different vibe. Fans were ecstatic, and Boston Manor thrived off the energy, keeping the momentum of the night alive with their signature sound and commanding presence.
Boston Manor – Forum – Photos by Luci Scott
But the night truly belonged to Trophy Eyes. Kicking off with ‘Sydney’ was a masterstroke, as it effortlessly transitioned into ‘Life in Slow Motion’ followed by ‘Blue Eyed Boy’ and ‘People Like You’. The flow between these tracks was seamless, making it feel like one continuous, cathartic wave of emotion. There was no time for chit-chat between songs – John kept the energy high, maintaining an almost relentless pace.
The next few tracks – ‘Heaven Sent’, ‘My Inheritance’ and ‘Figure 8’ – came at the crowd with increasing intensity. Every song felt bigger than the last, and the crowd fed off the escalating energy. After a quick pause, Trophy Eyes launched into ‘Friday Forever’, ‘Kill’ and ‘Breathe You In’. Before they dove into ‘Choke’, John took a moment to acknowledge familiar faces in the crowd – fans who had supported them for years. It was a small, personal touch that resonated deeply with longtime listeners.
‘Choke’ ignited the room before they introduced their new track, ‘Enmore’. Despite being fresh to the setlist, the song already feels like a fan favourite, with the crowd singing along as if it had been around for years. They continued with ‘What Hurts the Most’, ‘OMW’ and ‘Burden’ all of which kept the intensity at full throttle.
Trophy Eyes – Forum – photos by Luci Scott
Before ‘Epilogue’ the energy in the room shifted as John took a moment to address the crowd. He shared that before the band created Suicide and Sunshine, they were on the verge of calling it quits. The spark that had fuelled Trophy Eyes for years was nearly extinguished, and they had seriously considered ending the band. However, they found a small spark of inspiration, just enough to push forward and create what would become Suicide and Sunshine. Then, with a hint of finality, he mentioned that they wanted to play the album one last time for everyone in the room. His words left the crowd to wonder if this might be the last time they’d see Trophy Eyes perform live.
As they played ‘Epilogue’ followed by ‘You Can Count On Me’ and ‘Chlorine’, the weight of John’s words hung in the air, adding a somber layer to the performance. If this was truly the last time Trophy Eyes would grace the stage in Australia, they left everything they had out there, making it a night that fans will remember for years to come. Whether this is the end or just the closing of a chapter, it’s clear that Trophy Eyes has left an indelible mark on everyone in that room.
