Finch, a post-hardcore band from California, opened the Soundwave Festival sideshow at the Palace Theatre using a mini megaphone for parts of a few songs, this band already stood out, and the show had only just begun. What vocalist Nate Barcalow lacked in stature, he made up for in vocal ability. And with a reference to the Delorean at one point, the geek in me was satisfied, but the set was over far too soon, and I was sad to see them leave the stage.

Next up was another post-hardcore band, this time from Canada, Silverstein. They started off with a pretty awesome light show, but for a moment the vocals were lost (I think a lead may have been kicked out). Unfortunately, they weren’t especially noteworthy, but lead vocalist Shane Told encouraged the creation of a circle pit, which followed through for the last two bands.

Chiodos were third on the bill. From Michigan, they were the also the third post-hardcore band on that night. The circle pit was still going from Silverstein (because people seem to enjoy an excuse to injure other people in the name of music). A different element was the keyboard, which made the band seem a little softer, but not by much. Stephen Christian from Anberlin joined vocalist Craig Owens in the song A Letter From Janelle. Somehow, the pit got more aggressive and didn’t really slow down even when Chiodos left the stage.

Anberlin started their set 15 minutes late, but somehow managed to fill the venue the rest of the way the moment they stepped onstage, and opened with Disappear, from their new album New Surrender. Following close after were Never Take Friendship Personal and Paperthin Hymn from Cities, their previous album.

Anberlin vocalist Stephen announced that Melbourne was his favourite place, before launching into Breaking, followed by Day Late and Adelaide. Drummer Nate Young was celebrating his birthday that night as well, which for many fans was also cause for celebration.

Dismantle Repair was the next song in the set, followed by Unwinding Cable Car. Somehow someone decided that Anberlin was aggressive enough that they had to reform the circle pit from the prior two bands, which resulted in at least 10 people attempting to crowd surf, and every single one of them being nabbed by the four large security guards standing in front of the stage.

Hello Alone, The Resistance, Godspeed and The Feel Good Drag rounded out the set. Stephen announced that this was one of his favourite shows ever in Australia. Shouts of ‘More more more’ followed the band off the stage, and again Stephen’s amazing lung capacity was used to its fullest extent with encore songs Inevitable and Fin. By far, it was the best Anberlin show I have been to in three years.

CHECK OUT THE PHOTOS FROM THE GIG HERE