Live Review: Bear McCreary’s Themes & Variations Tour in Melbourne
24th July 2025, The Forum, Melbourne, Australia
Review by: Jeana Thomas
Photography by: Jeana Thomas
Bear McCreary’s Themes & Variations: A Symphonic Odyssey Through Soundscapes of Emotion and Epic
Melbourne’s iconic Forum Theatre evoked a sense of wonder with its part rock concert, part cinematic adventure. Bear McCreary, the mastermind behind the music of Battlestar Galactica, The Walking Dead, Outlander, God of War and The Rings of Power, brought his Themes & Variations tour to Australia and it was every bit as epic and unexpected as anyone could imagine.
Apart from being a legendary composer of film and TV scores and an Emmy/BAFTA winner, he has also been surrounded by enduring rock music. A stunning blend of orchestra and metal was created during the London tour in April, bringing together both worlds and trust me, it worked.
Seeing McCreary’s soundtracks unfold on stage and seeing tracks from his first rock album The Singularity played live, was like being in the middle of my own skin. It felt like I was living my life.
McCreary’s music has always had emotional weight, whether it’s the pounding war drums of God of War or the melancholic beauty of Outlander. He started turning heads with Battlestar Galactica back in 2004, mixing orchestral instruments with taiko drums and Celtic vocals, not exactly the sci-fi norm.
In 2024, he finally put out The Singularity, his first release in the world of prog-metal concept music, after struggling with it since his teenage years. It’s heavy, theatrical and packed with cameos from rock royalty like Slash and Serj Tankian. The record delves into bizarre themes, eerie immortality and the future of humanity, all harmonised by intense guitar melodies that rise above lush orchestral sounds.
McCreary aimed to unite his two musical identities into a singular live performance with Themes & Variations. And he totally nailed it.
His band was a powerhouse, with each member being exceptional. McCreary himself moved between guitar, hurdy-gurdy (the coolest medieval instrument used in a rock show), keys, piano accordion, drum and vocals with effortless command, as if orchestrating a universe of sound in real time. His brother Brendan took centre stage on lead vocals and acoustic guitar, channelling the emotional core of The Singularity with raw energy and undeniable charisma. Omer Ben-Zvi added fire on lead guitar and backing vocals, seamlessly blending metal intensity with melodic precision. Pete Griffin grounded the entire performance on bass. Paul Cartwright’s electric violin threaded through the music like a heartbeat – emotive, sharp and deeply cinematic. Gene Hoglan, there’s no mistaking his drumming. Every beat hit like a seismic pulse, anchoring the night’s biggest moments with weight and power. Witnessing their electrifying fusion of iconic scores and McCreary’s audacious rock concept album, it was easy to see that this wasn’t merely a band supporting a composer, but a vibrant collective conjuring an epic, living tapestry of sound and soul.
The screen imagery was a breathtaking blend of cinematic visuals and thematic animations, perfectly syncing with the music to create a fully immersive storytelling experience, starting with Overture and advanced rapidly thereafter.
One highlight? A breathtaking adaptation of the classic Black Sails, featuring McCreary on a metal sea shanty and cranking on his hurdy-gurd. The release of God of War was characterised by powerful drums and guitar work that captured Kratos’ fury with ease.
The Gaelic rendition of Wander My Friends and the epic All Along the Watchtower were both powerful moments in the Battlestar Galactica suite. The experience was intimate and relatable due to McCreary’s captivating stories and insights behind the creation of certain songs and playing medieval instruments in between, enriching the audience’s connection to his music.
Among the highlights were the hauntingly original Outlander, The Walking Dead and Escape From the Machine. The haunting strings of Outlander filled the venue with a deep, emotional pull, rich, romantic and full of longing. The Walking Dead theme hit hard with its eerie tension and pulsing drums, sending chills through the crowd. But Escape From the Machine was on another level – soaring vocals, thunderous guitar and intense rhythm made it feel like the entire room was caught in a storm of sound and feeling. Each piece told a story and you could feel it in your chest.
Many of the crowd donned Battlestar shirts and others wearing God of War gear. While some were surprised by the heavy rock edge and expected a more orchestral performance, the energy in the room was amazing. The band’s emotion and skill were so captivating that even those who doubted their performance could relate. Brendan performed with fiery passion and raw emotion, pouring his heart into every lyric and delivering each song with a powerful, unshakable presence that lit up the stage.
Lighting was also helpful, with bold reds and cool blues that mirrored the music’s emotional swing. And the sound? Powerful, punchy and immersive.
The concert was all about bringing McCreary’s two musical realms together and getting fans from all over to come out and enjoy the ride. He lived every word on that stage and by the end, it felt like we’d all been on the journey with him; if you’re even slightly curious, go see this tour, it’s a rare kind of magic that hits you right in the gut and leaves you wanting more.
PORTAIR
Portair Turns a Support Slot Into a Soul-Stirring Standout Moment
I’ve got to admit, I didn’t know much about Portair before he walked onto the Forum stage aside from seeing his name on the ticket as the support act for Bear McCreary. But ten minutes into his set, I was completely hooked.
Portair’s solo opening was like stumbling into a musical daydream that I didn’t want to wake from. With just his voice and a tangle of looping pedals, he spun ethereal, cinematic vibes that felt like a one-man band conjuring magic. His vocals, crisp, angelic and wildly versatile, swirled through effects, building layers that hit like a gentle wave. It was the perfect warm-up for McCreary’s epic set. Watching him loop sounds live was like seeing a chef whip up a dish with flair.
What stood out most was the emotional variety. There was a tender, reflective lull and then almost jarringly, a track that had people tapping their feet. It’s clear Portair’s spent years fine‑tuning his sound: he’s equally at home writing songs that feel like a warm hug or a kick‑up‑the‑pants anthem.
After the set, I overheard someone in the foyer saying, “I’m definitely downloading him tonight.” I was thinking the same thing. It didn’t feel like a support act, it felt like discovering someone who’s just about to break. Portair may have started the night in the shadow of McCreary’s epic orchestral-metalscape, but by the time the lights dimmed, he’d made the stage completely his own.
So yeah, if you’re heading to a Portair show anytime soon, do yourself a favour and arrive early. This is one of those rare artists who’s just on the verge of something big and you’ll get to say you saw him before everyone else did.
Sheldon Ang Media would like to thank Beehive-PR, Destroy All Lines and Bear McCreary for the Press Accreditation.
Bear McCreary is continuing his tour across Australia, with tickets available through Destroy All Lines.
About the Writer: Originally hailing from Western Australia, Jeana Thomas now thrives in the vibrant city of Melbourne. Amidst the hustle of her role in a prominent teaching hospital, she also navigates the dynamic world of entrepreneurship as the owner of a medical transcription company. Beyond her professional endeavours, Jeana finds solace and joy in the rhythm of music, the allure of travel and the artistry of photography, with a particular passion for wildlife photography.
About Sheldon Ang Media: Sheldon Ang Media (est. May 2022) have been accredited to more than 190 of the hottest acts including Coldplay (Perth), Taylor Swift (ERAS Tour in Sydney), KISS, Iron Maiden, RHCP, P!NK and The Kid LAROI with reviews shared by the likes of Belinda Carlisle, UB40, Delta Goodrem, The Wiggles and Toni Childs on social media. The founder has interviewed rockers Suzi Quatro, Ace Frehley (KISS), John Steel (The Animals), Frank Ferrer (Guns N Roses), Phil X (Bon Jovi), Andrew Farris (INXS) plus over 70 artists. SAM is also a music journalist on the Triple M Radio network.
