Live Review: Alexisonfire in Perth, Western Australia
6th of March 2025 at Perth HPC (HBF Stadium) Western Australia
Review by Sheldon Ang
Alexisonfire bombarded the Perth audience, masterfully balancing cathartic and aggressive styles and radiating high energy throughout the night. The band from Ontario, Canada are celebrated for their post-hardcore sound and captivate their devoted fans with a spectacular show. The five-piece band scintillated the crowd on their ninth visit to Australia with songs spanning more than 20 years across five albums, including Alexisonfire (2002), Watch Out (2004), Canadian No.1 Crisis (2006), and Old Crows / Young Cardinals (2014), and Otherness (2022).
“What’s up Perth!” screamed the lead vocalist, George Pettit. The seizure-inducing white light was erratically pulsating, leading to “Sweet Dreams of Otherness” from their latest album, Otherness. This track, a tribute to their signature sound, began with a commanding guitar riff, soon joined by Dallas Green’s powerful vocals. The song’s atmosphere resonated with the chaos in the mosh pit, creating a dark wartime ambiance and setting the tone of misery, melancholy, and explosive frustration.
The lead singer made a morbid entrance, wearing a balaclava for the first five songs, including trippy titled tracks like “Hey, It’s Your Funeral Mama” and “Little Girls Pointing and Laughing.” Pettit’s intense stage presence gelled with the band’s dynamic performance and kept the audience spinning in circles in a human whirlpool.
The band’s lineup features three vocalists: George Pettit, Dallas Green, who also plays rhythm guitar and keyboards, and Wade MacNeil on lead guitar. Jordan Hastings’ dynamic drumming added an energetic backbone to the performance, while bassist Chris Steele was lively, often moving to the cadence of his music, with facial expressions to complement his animated persona.
One of the standout performances was “Young Cardinals,” a fan favorite about rebellion and self-discovery. The song’s progression, driven by Pettit and Green’s dual vocals, mirrored the crowd’s increasing engagement. As the song built up, so did the energy in the mini stadium, with 4,000 fans were hypnotised by the music.
Another highlight was “This Could Be Anywhere in the World,” where Pettit and Green’s intense vocals captured the decay and despair of a city in turmoil, as portrayed in the lyrics. The song’s powerful message and dynamic composition made it a memorable moment in the concert.
The encore featured “Accidents,” a poignant song about struggles and a sense of helplessness. The powerful instrumentation complemented the emotional weight of the lyrics, creating a sense of urgency and intensity that resonated with the audience. This final performance left the crowd in a reflective mood, bringing the concert to a poignant close.
The crowd was fully engrossed, with mosh pits forming and frequent crowd surfing. The energy of the music built a palpable tension, mirroring the intense crowd interaction. The band’s ability to connect with their audience was evident, as fans responded enthusiastically to every song
The five-piece stage presence personified a hardcore metal band. Their ability to blend aggressive and melodic elements in their music with their dynamic stage presence made for a powerful and unforgettable performance. The band’s connection with their audience through their energetic delivery and projecting a captivating atmosphere left the Perth crowd in shocked and awed.
Alexisonfire are performing across Australia. Tickets are available from Frontier Touring.
Sheldon Ang Media would like to thank Frontier Touring and Alexisonfire for the media accreditation
About the Writer: Sheldon Ang, photographer, writer and the founder of Perth-based Sheldon Ang Media (est. May 2022) has been accredited to over 150 of the hottest acts including Taylor Swift (ERAS Tour in Sydney), Coldplay (Perth), Backstreet Boys, KISS, Iron Maiden, RHCP and P!NK with reviews shared by the likes of Belinda Carlisle, UB40, Delta Goodrem, The Wiggles and Toni Childs on social media. He has interviewed rockers Suzi Quatro (pictured below), Ian Moss, Ace Frehley (KISS), John Steel (The Animals), Frank Ferrer (Guns N Roses), Phil X (Bon Jovi), Andrew Farris (INXS) plus over 70 artists. He’s also a contributor on Triple M Radio as a music journalist.
