UK rockers You Me At Six are currently in Australia as part of their Truth Decay tour. As the tour is over half way through tonight at the Roundhouse it’s Sydney’s turn. It’s been five years since the bands last headline tour down under, for the hundreds lined up outside the venue the anticipation is high.
First on stage was Melbourne pop punkers Between You & Me. Wasting no time getting the party started with their angst driven track “Dakota”. Then giving us all those Californian summer vibes with new banger “Nevermind’. Followed by the loved up “butterflies” and older crowd favourite “overthinking”. Phone lights were waving in the air for “go to hell” as special guest Mikaila Delgado of Yours Truly joined them on stage. Bassy and Jake resembled dominatrixes as they strapped go pros to themselves to finish their show crowd surfing to “Deadbeat”.
After a short break it was time for main support American band Set It Off. They hit the stage with instant electricity starting off with the riff heavy “wolf in sheep’s clothing”. Followed by “killer in the mirror” then the poptastic track “projector”. Vocalist Cody Carson and drummer Maxx Danziger swapped roles for “hypnotized” displaying the band’s versatility. The set closed out with the super catchy “why worry” then “punching bag” the band’s first ever song released. From the smiles on the bands faces to the energy in the room it was clear Set It Off won over many new fans tonight.
Now the time that many in the room had waited years for has finally arrived. You Me At Six emerged as a flood of colour lit up the stage. With all members dressed as dapper English gentlemen firstly giving us “deep cuts” taken from their new album Truth Decay. Then straight away giving us the high energy 2014 hit “fresh start fever”. What followed was a setlist showcasing the bands early emo roots all the way to their newer pop rock sensibilities.
“Stay with me” had girls hoisted on top of shoulders screaming every word. Before starting “god bless the 90’s kids” vocalist Josh Franceschi was peer pressured by the crowd into doing a shoey. Then dedicating “take on the world” to the LGBTQ+ community. Josh thanked the Sydney audience for being there for the band ever since they first toured Australia in 2010. With other visits including Paramore support, Bring Me The Horizon support, headline tours and festival appearances at Groovin The Moo and Soundwave. The last song of the set was a heartfelt acoustic version of “no one does it better”
The band left the stage but the audience wasn’t willing to leave yet. From the side of the stage Josh asked who wants one more song? How about two more songs? Three more songs? Four more songs? Huge cheers erupted as the band returned, starting the encore with “SUCKAPUNCH” then “underdog” followed by “reckless” and lastly the appropriate “beautiful way”.
Tonight in Sydney the truth is You Me At Six proved five boys from a small town in England are still taking on the world.
photos by Christian Ross
