LIVE REVIEW: TOUCHÉ AMORÉ @ 170 RUSSELL, MELBOURNE
Featuring Militarie Gun, Horsepower, and Post Heaven
A bitterly cold Wednesday night in Melbourne didn’t stop a passionate crowd from packing out 170 Russell to see post-hardcore heavyweights Touché Amoré return for their headline tour. The LA-based band brought with them a stacked support lineup of genre-bending acts and homegrown intensity, though it took a little while for the night to warm up.
Kicking things off was Post Heaven, one of the most exciting new names in the local scene. Vocalist Yasmin de Laine led the charge with dreamy yet sharp vocals that floated over heavy alt-metal. Their set featured tracks from their 2023 EP Watch The Framework As It Falls, including their breakout single See You At The End, which had some early fans swaying along. They also played Far From Me, their newest single from 2024, which leaned into a more emotional groove. A band clearly growing into their sound and stage presence.
Melbourne hardcore crew Horsepower took the energy up a notch, launching into a crushing set drawn from their debut 12” A Tear Or Two. I keep seeing their name pop up on bills and I get why. They are all grit with pounding riffs and aggressive vocals. It was heavy and fast, and they wore their passion on their sleeves.
Next up was Militarie Gun, who’ve quickly built a reputation for doing things their own way. Blending noisy hardcore with absurdly catchy melodies, the LA band had the most eclectic set of the night. They opened to a half-full room (rare for Melbourne, but maybe the cold scared folks off early), and the first half of their set, mostly newer material, didn’t quite connect at first.
Frontman Ian Shelton even joked about hinting at the crowd’s slow response. But once they launched into their more recognisable material like Very High and Big Disappointment, things turned around. Their final song Do It Faster absolutely went off, with the room finally fully behind them. Visually, their set was boosted by colourful background projections, including a moody blue tone during Thought You Were Waving track. While not every moment hit, their energy left a mark.
Headliners Touché Amoré didn’t waste a second once they hit the stage, launching straight ~ and New Halloween, with the crowd screaming back every word. The floor surged with movement, and from that moment, it was clear this was what everyone had been waiting for.
For the first few songs, sadly the mix leaned too heavy on the drums, drowning out vocals and guitars, but the sound gradually balanced out. Just in time for an emotional run through the highlights. Tracks like Limelight, Home Away From Here, and Goodbye For Now all got huge reactions, while Flowers and You ended the set just how you’d want it.
Frontman Jeremy Bolm was in top form, bouncing across the stage, fist in the air, feeding off the lyrics being sung back at him. Even after nearly two decades, Touché Amoré still sound urgent and real.