An electrifying solo live-show debut by Luke Hemmings in Melbourne

Photography by Sara Regan

Filled with bows, glitter and an ocean of blue, Luke Hemmings’ first show of the Australian leg of his tour, was already set to be a night to remember.

Founding member of one of Australia’s most successful bands, he has embarked on his solo project with albums ‘When Facing The Things We Turn Away From’ and recent release ‘boy’. Fans have been anticipating the moment they can hear these albums live since the first album in 2020, sending the crowd into a fit when the star stepped on stage.

However, alongside Hemmings’ was Sydney-based artist Annie Hamilton. Her voice captivated the room as she performed solo with just her voice and her guitar. Wearing bedazzled black wings made by yours truly, her warm and bubbly presence on stage won the hearts of hundreds of fans in the audience. 

Before we knew it, Luke took the stage with an angelic introduction to ‘A Beautiful Dream’. And despite the frantic screaming, Hemmings seamlessly continued through his set with ‘Motion’, ‘Close My Eyes’ and ‘Saigon’. With his 4-piece band supporting the frontman, their collective sound was incredible. 

Luke took a moment to recall his first visit to Melbourne with 5 Seconds of Summer. The boys would fly to Melbourne on the weekend when they weren’t at school to play gigs. In 2011 the band faced the venue collapsing into a sinkhole where Luke’s mum, with pure determination, found a school gym last minute for the band to play. Showing the true love and support that the fans and family had for 5 Seconds of Summer, Luke knew just how special it was to be playing a sold-out show at the Palais this week. 

For those who haven’t listened to Luke’s solo work, it is quite a contrast from the pop-rock sound of 5 Seconds of Summer. When talking with the crowd, Luke was quite honest and vulnerable in his first solo show down under, expressing how touched he is to see fans supporting him throughout this journey. However, his strong vocals and rockstar presence on stage also solidified his elite status in the music industry. 

For some, this show was the equivalent of a therapy session. Performing scream-worthy songs like ‘Mum’, ‘Benny’ and ‘I’m Still Your Boy’, tears were streaming down faces, hugs were exchanged and flashlights were swaying throughout the room. But we also had a great boogie to some of his more upbeat hits like ‘Baby Blue’, a cover of ‘Friday I’m In Love’ by the Cure and ‘Garden Life’. 

To close the show, Hemmings saved the best till last with his debut single ‘Starting Line’. Fans screamed and bopped along to the lyrics like they had been preparing for this moment their whole lives. With the glimmering light from the giant disco ball above, confetti flying throughout the venue and fans dancing like there’s no tomorrow, this tour was just one of many for the solo artist, only to get bigger and better every time.