It’s a Thursday night in Sydney, and I’m headed to the see Canadian power-pop band Marianas Trench at Factory Theatre. Originally planned for April 2020, the tour is now finally happening in September 2022. I previously got see the band back in 2014 at the Metro Theatre Sydney so looking forward to seeing them again.  

With tonight’s show filled to capacity, there is no barrier as hundreds of fans are pressed up against the stage waiting for the musical soldiers to arrive. The lights glow red as they band emerges onto the stage kicking things off with ‘Astoria’ then leading into ‘Rhythm of Your Heart’.

What proceeded was a night of hip-shaking pop-rock that displayed both their musicianship and song writing talent. Vocalist Josh, pausing between the show to explain how excited he was to be in Australia but couldn’t believe they are here. With all shows on the tour sold out, the excitement for the tour was shared by the Aussie crowd. An exuberant fan even yelled out “take your clothes off!” with Josh laughing and responding “what other job is it appropriate to yell that?”

During the show, Josh played a red guitar in the shape of the Canadian flag’s maple leaf showing his patriotism for his home land. All for members of the band not only commanded their instruments but had vocal harmonies that would give Australia’s Human Nature a run for their money.

A huge set highlight was ‘Desperate Measures’ which had the entire room jumping and singing along. Josh got hearts racing as he left the stage to sing ‘Stutter’ and ‘Haven’t Had Enough” in amongst the crowd.

To finish the setlist they gave us another massive fan favourite with ‘Fallout’, before giving us a lesson in how to write a hit song with ‘Pop 101’. Closing the show with ‘Killing Kind’ an epic track from their newest album Phantoms, the song had the crowd in awe of Josh’s soaring vocals and overall grandeur of hearing the song live.

Marianas Trench may be one of Canada’s best kept secrets – but with a completely sold out Australian tour, they are no secret in the land down under.  

(Photos by Christian Ross)