There’s nothing more exciting than seeing a band’s ascent in real time and The Dreggs are proving their potential as they rise to the top.
Sunshine Coast duo Paddy Macrae and Zane Harris, along with their live band, were beaming as they took to the stage at the Forum on Saturday night — and why wouldn’t they be? After a string of sold-out shows across Europe, and New Zealand just on the horizon, the group brought the Australian leg of their Caught in a Reverie tour to a spectacular close.
It seemed fitting to have their final Australian show in Melbourne, as Zane reminisced about their first sold-out gig here four years ago, expressing their love and appreciation for the city and its fans.
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“You have a special place in our hearts and we love you guys so much”, he said, before launching into Keepsake, a clear crowd pleaser which had fans (and this writer) singing along.
The Dreggs balanced their setlist with a mix of old favourites and new songs from their independently-released debut album Caught in a Reverie, showcasing their evolution while staying true to what made fans fall in love with them in the first place.
A standout song was Look to the Stars — a track recorded, written and produced by Paddy in the spare room of their home. Zane confessed that it’s his favourite on the new album and the intimate setting of its creation added an extra layer of meaning to the performance.
There was power even during the most fragile moments. Before launching into the gentle and vulnerable Sad Old Song, Paddy took a moment to reveal the deeper purpose of Caught in a Reverie. Each track on the album takes listeners on a reflective journey of grief and personal growth, with the message that “It’s completely fu**ing okay to walk through the mud to get to the other side”.
With music old and new, humour and heartfelt moments, this show marked a new era for The Dreggs. Saturday’s concert showcased a band hitting their stride and a glimpse into the next chapter of their story.
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