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Live Review: Gryffin
170 Russell
September 17, 2025
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Gryffin’s long-awaited return to Australia for his first-ever headline tour is nothing short of spectacular and his Melbourne stop at 170 Russell proves why he’s one of the most exciting names in electronic music today.
From the moment doors opened, the energy in the venue was electric. Local support act Jacknife warms up the crowd with a gritty, bass-heavy set that set the tone perfectly. But when Gryffin takes to the stage, the night truly ignites.
Backed by a dazzling light show and a crisp sound system, Gryffin delivers a high-octane performance that blends live instrumentation with his signature melodic house sound. As a classically trained multi-instrumentalist, he doesn’t just DJ — he plays live guitar and keys, adding a rich and exciting organic layer to his electronic beats.
The setlist is a journey through his discography of songs he has produced including fan favourites like ‘Tie Me Down,’ ‘Feel Good,’ and ‘Nobody Compares to You,’ as well as newer tracks from his 2024 album ‘PULSE’, which showcases a more experimental and cinematic side of his artistry. He also mixes in other popular songs and his own remixes. The crowd erupts during ‘Woke Up in Love’ and swayed emotionally to ‘All You Need to Know.’
What stands out most is Gryffin’s connection with the audience. He frequently steps out from behind the decks onto the podium to engage with fans, creating a communal and intimate performance. The visuals are a mix of dreamy landscapes and pulsing geometric patterns which elevates the experience into something immersive and unforgettable.
Despite the venue and date change, fans still show up to pack-out the venue and 170 Russell proves to be an ideal venue for this kind of show for it is intimate enough to feel personal, yet large enough to accommodate the booming sound and light production for a club-style show.
His setlist is a whirlwind of genres all blended into one and is filled with euphoric energy and emotional highs as he gives a masterclass in live electronic performance – it’s emotional, energetic, and expertly executed. Whether the audience came for the dancefloor anthems or the heartfelt melodies, we all leave with a full heart and ringing ears.
Gryffin is blown away by the audience’s reaction and feeds off their energy. He shares his brand-new song ‘Deep Water’ released last week and for an extra special finisher he shares an unreleased song called ‘The Feeling’ which is another stunning anthem to add to his impressive electronic dance music catalogue.
Words by Michael Prebeg
