On the March 12 in the rainy, humid, autumn atmosphere, thousands of Cigarettes After Sex fans patiently waited outside Rod Laver Arena in anticipation of the moody show ahead.
The melancholic sound is woven together by a three-piece team, made up of Greg Gonzalez on lead vocals and guitar, Jacob Tomsky on drums, and Randall Miller on bass guitar.
When the band’s world tour was announced in 2024, it coincided with the release of their third studio album X’s and its lead single Tenjano Blue. With a slightly faster beat than previous albums, it still carries the band’s signature dreamy indie rock tone and feeling.
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When the doors opened, the sea of fans dressed predominantly in black filled the floor and stadium. The ambient white glow of the smokey stage created a perfect milieu.
As the show began, the arena’s air was suffused with lurid romance, tears of joy and excitement. The opening song X’s mesmerised listeners, embedding them into a psychedelic trance. Peppered with streaks of fluorescent light, the foggy, black-and-white stage decor intensified the emotion of the heartfelt music.
When Gonzalez introduced the song You’re All I Want, the shadowed arena became illuminated with the light of phone torches, filling the venue with ambient light.
Throughout the performance, there was very little movement on the stage other than Gonzalez briefly walking out onto a small platform and throwing guitar picks into the crowd.
While the stillness matched the emotional depth and intimacy of the songs, there was a sense of tiredness on stage, perhaps due to the relentless touring cycle.
Nothing’s Gonna Hurt You Baby captivated the entire crowd, leaving them teary-eyed and swaying in unison, holding tightly onto their loved ones. The gentle, soothing melody wrapped around the audience like a warm embrace, creating an atmosphere filled with emotion.
At that moment, an overwhelming sense of love and safety filled the air, as if the music had created a protective bubble that surrounded everyone present, connecting them in a shared, tender experience.
With great enthusiasm from their dedicated followers, the band navigated through a series of popular tracks, including K, Sunsets, Cry and Apocalypse. During the song Sunsets, there was a change from their primarily used black backdrop, swapping to a blue-tinted ocean horizon with waves gently rolling across the screen. The use of the spotlight created a deep connection between the performers and their music.
Apocalypse was the highlight of the night, with strobes of white glowing light passing through the crowd drawing attention to the audience, evoked by the heartwarming harmony of the band.
Throughout the track, the sound of fans singing the lyrics from the depths of their souls filled the arena, echoing through the air.
Before the pulchritudinous song came to an end, the crowd was instantly mesmerized as the curtains parted, unveiling a disco ball that cast a sparkling, shimmering light, across the venue.
Greg, Jacob, and Randall gave an impelling soul soul-fulfilling performance that fans will never forget.
With their unique sound, emotional depth and undeniable chemistry, this band creates an atmosphere that not only captivates but also resonates deeply with their audience, leaving everyone feeling like they’ve witnessed something truly special.
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