Live Review: Sombr at Festival Hall, Melbourne
Thurs 4 Dec 2025
Newcastle punk act dust open with their experimental soundscape of jagged instrumentation, atmospheric guitars and glitchy electronics full of frenetic energy.
The band plays with an undercurrent of restraint, every moment stretched out and the arrangements sometimes sparse, yet explosive and confrontational.
US alternative-pop artist sombr (aka Shane Boose) makes his Australian headline debut live show tonight and when he emerges in low blue light, the room erupts to a warm greeting from the crowd. Opening with ‘i wish i knew how to quit you,’ he immediately captures the audience’s attention with his animated and energetic moves as he swings his microphone around with swagger.
sombr’s lo-fi vocal style is intimate and raw, carrying a breathy, vulnerable quality, blending indie-pop and alternative influences with subtle imperfections that make the delivery feel authentic and emotionally charged. His use of layered harmonies and soft reverb evoke nostalgia and intimacy, making his vocals feel both modern and timeless.
The stage is styled like a late-night talk show, featuring a New York City skyline backdrop, warm lighting, a dressing mirror and a desk with plush chairs to create a cozy ‘70s inspired TV-set vibe.
sombr brings to life his indie-rock hits from the make-shift recording studio in his bedroom to the live stage with a mesmerising and electrifying energy. ‘savior’ and ‘we never dated’ have the crowd shouting lines back with the kind of unfiltered honesty usually reserved for late-night phone calls.
‘perfume’ shifts the mood into something more spacious, its warm groove filling Festival Hall as fans sway in sync. ‘do i ever cross your mind’ and ‘come closer’ lands with deep clarity, showcasing how effortlessly he blends delicate vocal runs with textured production.
He shows deep gratitude to his fans who have sold out his first show in Australia, far across the other side of the world where he calls home. “All I ask is to get lost in the music, take care of everyone around you and have the time of your fucking life!” he shouts.
The middle stretch of the set brings out some of the night’s strongest vocal moments. sombr moves from feather-light falsetto to deeper, more anchored tones, each transition feeling intentional. Sad girl anthem ‘caroline’ is a pivotal moment.
“When I was 16 I was going to high school every day and I really hated it, so I made this song. I made a video with it, and I posted it online and I went to sleep expecting to wake up and go to school the next day and get made fun of. But it was viral overnight, and every record label was in my inbox. I got signed, I got flown out to LA. Now I still get made fun, but at least now I’m doing what I love,” he recounts.
“If you ever want to do anything in this world do whatever you take your mind to because I used to go to shows and be in that pit, look up on the stage you want to be. where I am right now. So, you can do that exact thing. If you want to do that,” he continues.
When the band eases into ‘would’ve been you’ and ‘undressed,’ the atmosphere shifts again, quieter, heavier. sombr delivers each line as if exhaling heartbreak itself, making the room feel intimate.
‘canal street’ and ‘crushing’ snaps the audience back into full-body motion. Guitars sharpen, drums thicken, and sombr leans into a more urgent, percussive energy. The room pulses, everyone moving as one mass, the chorus of ‘crushing’ erupts like a release valve.
As the set nears its end, ‘under the mat’ and ‘back to friends’ offers a dual emotional arc that’s reflective and triumphant. sombr stands centre-stage, silhouetted in white light, delivering the kind of cathartic, full-voiced performance that solidifies why fans connect so fiercely to his work.
The night closes with ‘12 to 12,’ a perfectly chosen finale. The disco ball illuminates the venue for the huge club anthem. He throws around his custom microphone stand that swings freely like a pendulum, adding a dramatic and kinetic element to his live performance.
“If you ever feel alone in this world, just know you’re not alone, because I am here for you. Thank you for being here for me. I plan on coming back here for the rest of my life. I hope guys will come back here to visit me every year, too. I love you so much,” he proclaims.
sombr delivered a night of slow-burn intensity and emotional precision. As such a young artist, his impressive and magnetic stage presence is both polished and unpredictable—marking him as a rising star and one to watch in the indie-pop scene.
Words by Michael Prebeg
