With a long-standing history with Australia, Of Monsters And Men have returned down under for their first tour in six years. With two sold out shows at Enmore Theatre in Sydney, the Icelandic indie folk/rock band reminded the Australian crowds why we fell in love with their magical sound all of those years ago. They delivered one of the most unique but beautiful shows I have seen in a long time. One that just captivates you from start to finish, and had me questioning where the 90 minutes went. 

With the lights dimming in the Iconic Sydney venue, a welcome to country played over the speaker before the band came out for the opening track “Television Love”, taken from their new album All Is Love And Pain In The Mouse Parade. Throughout the show, the band never performed directly in the lights, and always allowed the lighting to dance around them while they stayed in the shadows. It was an intentional creative direction that was so striking and immediately noticeable. I was so captivated by how understated it was, and yet at the same time it wasn’t. It fit so perfectly alongside the music, and how quirky but shy the band were in-between songs. 

Older songs like “King And Lionheart”, “Human”, “Alligator”, “Dirty Paws” and my personal favourite “Crystals” created big singalong moments, while new tracks like “Styrofoam Cathedral”, “The Actor” and “Tuna In A Can” highlighted how they are still at the very top of their game as musicians. For “Mouse Parade” the band stood in a circle and performed an intimate rendition of the song which felt absolutely magical. 

The show was plagued with a lot of technical issues, which saw roadies running onto the stage a lot during and in-between songs. But the band remained so professional and kept the show flowing so gracefully. 

This was one of the rare shows where I was in complete awe of the band for the full duration of the show. I didn’t know a lot of the new album, but they had me completely entranced. I walked away feeling lighter, smiling and feeling like I just watched something special and wholesome.

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Photos by Sophie Hill