Short Stack - Gig Review & Photo Gallery 7th June @ The Roundhouse, Sydney NSW

Short Stack 
‍UNSW Roundhouse, Sydney NSW 
June 7th, 2025 
Supports: RedHook, Forever Ends Here 

Back in the days when Channel [V] was the go to stop for music and the world seemed a little more emo, Short Stack were responsible for making vampires cool without having to fly out Gerard Way to Australia. Donned with swoopy hair almost reaching their toes and a closet Dracula would die for, the metamorphosis of Short Stack to their casual Dad-era is perhaps the most prolific transition of all time. What has remained the same, however, is an onslaught of die-hard fans growing alongside the Australian idols. Tonight, with our skinny jeans a little tighter than before, hundreds of older emos (and a few new fans) clogged the University of New South Wales, ready to pile into the Roundhouse and get out of the crispy wind. Alongside Forever Ends Here and RedHook - was there going to be too much energy for this crowd to handle? 

“The Highschool reunion will now begin!”

The beginning of Forever Ends Here’s set saw a sentiment so chaotically apt ring throughout the venue, seeing older fans brimming with ear-to-ear smiles, with younger fans cheekily poking fun at the onslaught of old jokes that were sure to become custom for the evening. When we talk of pioneers of the Aussie pop-punk scene, it's hard to miss Forever Ends Here. Forming in 2011, the Sydney-siders were impactful and quickly asserted their dominance with tours alongside Neck Deep and 5 Seconds of Summer. Now, the three piece exude a whole different kind of flair; stylish, sophisticated, and suave, with all eyes particularly on vocalist, Luke McChesney.

Forever Ends Here have had a journey that very much resembles that of the headliners, with tales of long hiatuses and comebacks to match. Equipped with soul-enriched new music, the first of its kind in nine years, FEH entranced with old anthems and revitalised hits alike. After some stretches and lunges, the band did not stop moving, bouncing playfully at the beats swirling around them, and becoming a prime example to the movement the crowd should be adopting- and it was clear it became infectious. Rapidly, these tracks had people moving- whether it was a solemn head nod, or like the two girls in front of me, who were almost giving Forever Ends Here a run for their money. It was moments like this you could capture around the venue. Among piles of attendees enjoying the show, groups of diehards found themselves lurking within the audience, making themselves known by screaming passionately and dancing like no one else was around. This was something the band seemed to unlock within so many- a feeling of confidence and acceptance that was projected from the band now confident enough in themselves to return to the stage and ignite their music with a passion gained from years of experience and storytelling. 

Next up were scene favourites, RedHook. Back in the day, I swear I used to see RedHook monthly on gig lineups spanning across New South Wales. But lately, I have been a little deprived. Of course, this feeling is largely accounted for by their monumental run of shows over in the UK and Europe, seeing their sound mutate beyond the walls of Australia, and claim the ears of thousands. It was heartwarming to get the chance to see them again - but it was not as I once knew them (in the best way possible). 

Their stint on Saturday night has taught me one thing - RedHook belongs on large stages. They have always been a fun band, doing all they can to capture attention and win the hearts of the crowd. But now, it is so much more than that. A RedHook show is a spectacle, and one that needs to be cherished in the environments that allow this energy to burst wholefully and fruitfully. Armed with a bubble machine, saxophone, costume changes, and plenty of special guests, there was not a moment where your entire being was not captured or enthralled by the plethora of special, memorable moments created by this band. This also rings true in the moments of vulnerability. The performance of ‘Jabberwocky’ saw Emmy Mack crawl upon the top of the speakers, casting out an ode to anyone who has ever experienced or dealt with sexual assault. Her voice shaking with honesty and compassion, friends held each other as the sentiments of the track aided another comforting hand in a powerful display of unity and support.

As someone who has witnessed RedHook’s journey over the years, it seems a disservice to say they have simply gotten better - the true extent of their growth is simply too profound to recount in its entirety. As a frontwoman, Emmy not only deserves her flowers, but needs a whole garden planted in her honour. From the definition now lurking in her grotesque and jaw-dropping screams, to her confidence and sass commanding a room full of people, she is someone I could watch all night long. It would also be remiss not to mention the development of Craig Wilkinson. This tour has seen him really step up to the plate, somehow being everywhere, all at once, conducting the stage and formulating what comes next. I can only imagine his brain on stage is emulating that of a million swarms of bees buzzing around, yet his exterior is one of calmness and swagger. He truly seems to be a jack of all trades.

One of RedHook’s standout moments was the performance of ‘HEXXX’, which saw them bring out Peni Parker to the stage. Entrancing with a sultriness, Emmy and Peni conjured the spirits of femininity and ferociousness, their microphones swirling a satiating cauldron of mystery and alluringness. They complimented each other sharply with a connection that went past performance work, but saw their friendship burst through even after the song was done.

Knowing their place, RedHook teased the crowd. Their lights, lasers, and laptop was sure to send some of the old heads into an electronic-induced spiral, but before they could get to bed, all Emmy wanted was one teeny weeny little wall of death. And it was with these begs, pleads, and a little bit of yelling, that the crowd got moving. As self assured as ever, and with a setlist of staple hits to match, RedHook have shown no signs of slowing down. In a heartfelt way, it seems as though the band’s job is never done. There is always something to learn, always one more person to win over. And that is what makes them so endearing time and time again.

With classic emo anthems now circulating around the room, the sold out crowd was found singing deep cuts from A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out. It was truly a moment that felt the closest to time travel we have ever gotten to - that was until Short Stack took to the stage.

Strolling on, the dramaticness of the fanfare seemed to roll off of their backs - a moment that showed that they knew the popularity was there, but they were still so befuddled as to why they had it. This Roundhouse show marked one of the biggest shows the Budgewoi band has ever performed, but the implication of this was not nervousness or adapting into a polished and perfected version of themselves, but instead saw Short Stack coming out at their most authentic and loveable; a representation that saw slithers of their past selves shimmer through, three boys who probably never foresaw the legacy they would hold on Australian audiences two decades on from when this all began. 

Short Stack were always a staple in my house, and were one of those select bands that made the tumultuous and gruelling nod of approval when my iPod music transferred to my iPhone - it was always that serious. But sometimes, it becomes hard to visualise this as a group mentality, hard to imagine how this band you always perceived as cool and niche to you, really ignited a whole generation worth of people who were unafraid to be loud, proud, and themselves. Yet, this notion quickly became tangible. It took mere songs until the fans almost became louder than vocalist Shaun Diviney. Looking out at this packed out crowd, every mouth was moving in spectacular unison, snatching the words from Diviney’s mouth as the drums to ‘Princess’ guided everyone in beat.

On stage, Short Stack are filled with a loveable cockiness and performative pretentiousness that is just so funny to watch. It is so obvious that they are truly humble and grateful, but the effort to, at times, try to present as ‘rock stars’ makes the bit all the funnier. Of course, this is only squeezed in between the multiple shouts of “Fuck You Bradie!” - the only attention he is allowed, held hostage without a microphone to clap back. It is all these on stage shenanigans that take a show like this back to the 2010s. Unafraid to cross boundaries and putting their genuine friendship on full display, it's almost like watching a band rehearsal (but one that is super duper polished). To them, the audience is another one of their mates, and we are all in on the jokes.

Not before long, the band proclaimed it was time to get a little dark and moody… they then proceeded to haul six massive, rainbow blow up balls into the crowd. I wish I could recall any moments of the performance from this moment, but my entire being was dedicated to watching massive balls bowl over unsuspecting victims, or topple off someone's hat only to see a stern glimpse given to the person next to them and not the balls. They truly overstayed their welcome, and the prophecy was fulfilled when one launched itself into Andy’s microphone- the tour almost having to pay for a new set of teeth.

The setlist was truly spectacular. There was a memorable celebration of Stack Is The New Black, but there were also some inclusions of many fan favourites like ‘Amy’, and of course ‘Planets’. For me, this was the culmination of the night - a song I see fit to be the Australian anthem. With a solemn start, a stripped back Shuan uttered the haunting call to arms; “I’m reaching out, I’m reaching outttttt”... 

Suddenly, the lights flashed and the guitars were thunderous. The crowd stayed in tune, jumping rapidly and engaging in the little quirks and features of the song in the background. In probably one of the biggest sing-a-longs I’ll witness this year, it was clear that Short Stack have such a profound impact upon everyone in that room. As the lights danced between faces dazzling with pure glee, not one person was left unmoving. This venue became the warmest place to be on this freezing Sydney night. 

Not giving in to the tricks of the encore, a small breather saw Short Stack come back on stage for three more songs, finishing off with the ultimate banger, ‘Sway, Sway Baby!’. With a bit of flair, a bit of flamboyance, shooting sparklers encased the band and lit up their bewildered expressions. Climbing onto the speakers on either side, they took a final moment to soak up the stardom. After years of living the rockstar life, it seems this was almost the pinnacle. 

It’s always Stack is back, but did they ever truly leave? Short Stack’s show at the Roundhouse became an impressive solidification of the band’s long engaging and forever persisting status within the Australian music scene. As nonchalant as they are, Short Stack ignited emo music within Australia, and broke boundaries with self expression and identity many years ago. Although the eyeliner and straighteners may sit at the bottom of the drawer now, many people owe themselves to this band, and it is only fitting to return the favour and cherish these songs for many years to come. 

Review by Georgia Haskins @ghaskins2002

Photo Gallery by Jackson Saunders @jsaundersfilm. Please credit Wall Of Sound and Jackson Saunders if you repost photos.