Live Review: FINNEAS @ Forum, Melbourne

The night begins with an opening set by Fazerdaze, who captivates the audience with her dreamy indie-pop sound mixed with intricate guitar work to deliver a performance that’s both ethereal and engaging. Despite the sparse stage setup, the atmospheric performance felt intimate and full due to the skilful use of effects pedals and backing tracks.

The sound of a chiming music box plays to welcome FINNEAS to the stage, and he takes a seat at the piano for his opening track Starfucker. The crowd erupts in cheers, and it instantly sparks an audience singalong. The band joins in for Lotus Eater to set the tone of the groovy and charming sound of his new album For Cryin’ Out Loud! 

“This is the last city of our Australian tour,” FINNEAS proclaims as the audience fangirls over him. He and the crowd are excited that he’s back playing the Forum.

He touts his favourite restaurant in Melbourne (Cam’s Kiosk) and hyped it up to his band, who have been there twice in the last twelve hours. “You know when you tell your friend about some experience you’ve had, and it can’t possibly live up to the experience you had, but it fucking did, and that’s just a testament to the way Melbourne is – you guys are the best,” he says.

FINNEAS’ stage presence is understated yet captivating. His performance is a mix of heartfelt ballads and high-energy anthems, each song resonating deeply with the audience. His ability to switch seamlessly between heartfelt acoustic songs and upbeat rock tracks kept the energy high throughout the night. The live band adds a rich, full sound to the performance with great chemistry to create a vibrant and engaging atmosphere. 

His keyboardist, Lucy Heels, joins him for a duet of Till Forever Falls Apart and fan-favourites The Kids Are All Dying and A Concert Six Months From Now ensure the crowd sings along to every word. Throughout the night, FINNEAS engages with the crowd, sharing personal anecdotes and expressing his gratitude for the support. His genuine and down-to-earth nature makes the concert feel even more intimate and special.

“I was over at my friend’s house recently with a friend who has kids. I watched Bluey, and I found it very profound. We’re too old, but there’s morals in there,” he remarks as he recalls an episode he watched about a bird. The band passes around an Australian cork hat as each member tries it on during the performance to ward away any large insects and spiders they’ve encountered.

Known for his work with his sister Billie Eilish, FINNEAS steps into the spotlight with a performance that highlights his own unique style and musicality, proving that he is a star in his own right, capable of captivating an audience with his unique blend of pop, rock, and folk influences. He dedicates Family Feud to his sister. “This song is about my favourite person to talk shit with,” he says.

There’s no encore for his set tonight, but he powers through to the end with some of his biggest songs, including the emotionally charged I Lost A Friend, Let’s Fall In Love For The Night and the title track of his sophomore album For Cryin’ Out Loud! with a powerful delivery to leave a lasting impression on the audience.