THE DREGGS – FORUM THEATRE, MELBOURNE – 16.10.2026
Review by Craig Eriksson

Australian indie-folk duo The Dreggs are currently on their Heading Home Tour, having made their way down Australia’s east coast. Tonight, they performed to a SOLD-OUT crowd at Melbourne’s Forum Theatre before heading to Adelaide and Perth. The duo comprises Paddy Macrae (lead vocals, banjo, guitar and harmonica) and Zane Harris (guitar). Formed in 2017, they started out as street buskers on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, playing small pub gigs before evolving into a thriving indie-rock act selling out venues across Australia, New Zealand, the UK and Europe. Their laid-back, coastal indie-folk sound continues to make waves.

ELLA JONES

Hailing from Brisbane, Australian singer-songwriter and musician Ella Jones opened the show, blending modern folk with alt-country influences and storytelling. She engaged the audience, captivating those who arrived early with her heartfelt songs and stories. Ella performed a five-song, 20-minute solo set, with her warm, grounded vocals and acoustic guitar creating a laid-back, easy-listening vibe. Ella joked about not recommending dating a musician, prompting laughter from the audience before launching into JUST BECAUSE I’M LEAVING, the first song she ever released. She revealed that she could have been in Nashville right now with her ex-boyfriend but was instead performing at a SOLD-OUT show at the Forum, drawing cheers from the crowd. This led into TENNESSEE. Ella then quipped, “Most of you probably don’t know me, so I’m going to play you a cover,” before delivering a wonderful rendition of 4 Non Blondes’ WHAT’S UP?, adding a touch of alt-country twang to the classic.

BETTY TAYLOR

As Shania Twain’s Man! I Feel Like a Woman played over the speakers, Queensland indie-pop rock four-piece Betty Taylor made their way onto the stage. Hailing from the Sunshine Coast, the band features Sophie Patrick (frontwoman and rhythm guitar), Kayla Smart (lead guitar and backing vocals), Claire Chittick (bass) and Katie Ishaque (drums). Their upbeat, dreamy sound blends melodic pop, wistful guitar riffs, catchy vocal harmonies and infectious indie hooks, delivered with a fun and playful stage presence. The band is named after Sophie’s grandmother, who recently turned 100. They performed several songs from their 2024 release Young Dumb Immature. Sophie offered a humorous observation: “Most men talk about the one that got away, while us women talk about the one we got away from.” The comment drew laughter and led into FUCK YOU. Betty Taylor wrapped up their 30-minute set with their latest single, FALL RIGHT BACK.

THE DREGGS

The Dreggs emerged on stage and launched into the powerful indie-rock anthem WE DON’T TALK, from their sophomore album The Art of Uncommon Practice (2025), immediately prompting the audience to chant along. Driven by Paddy’s rapid banjo strumming and Zane’s energetic acoustic guitar, it set the wheels in motion for a fun, feel-good night. The crowd sing-along STAY THE NIGHT followed, sounding magnificent as voices rang out in unison at the top of their lungs. The lads’ rich, heartfelt vocal harmonies and natural onstage chemistry were a standout feature of the performance. Their sound is organic, with a dreamy coastal warmth that you can imagine listening to while cruising down the coast in search of the perfect wave. The slow-burning GET KNOCKED DOWN showcased Paddy Macrae’s highly emotive, versatile vocals and storytelling ability. His voice moved seamlessly from deep, sombre sadness to comforting, uplifting serenity. Combined with Zane Harris’s warm harmonies and acoustic guitar, the result was a laid-back, sun-drenched coastal sound. The track’s powerful lyrics about the anxieties of ageing, financial struggles and generational disconnect seemed to resonate with the younger audience.

Harris announced that next year would mark 10 years since the duo formed. Between songs, the lads maintained a genuine connection with the audience, sharing stories about the inspiration behind their music and speaking openly about life, home, family, break-ups, loss and love. Fans were treated to a mix of old favourites and newer material throughout the set.

Paddy spoke about the first song they ever wrote together, leading into one of their biggest and most popular foot-stomping indie anthems, GIVE MYSELF TO YOU, which almost blew the roof off. It was like one giant party, and the atmosphere was electric.

Listening to the heartfelt FOOLISH REASONS, with its raw, introspective indie-folk sound, I could hear the influence of Matt Corby and Chris Collins, who co-produced The Dreggs’ sophomore album The Art of Uncommon Practice. PEEPS WITH THE GOODS, from their debut album Caught in a Reverie (2024), showcased the duo’s signature acoustic-driven coastal warmth.

Macrae asked for a show of hands from anyone who had been dragged along to the show, before adding, “Well, you’ll at least know this one!” This introduced their cover of A-ha’s TAKE ON ME, which they performed on Triple J’s Like A Version in 2025. The familiar melody had the entire venue singing and dancing along.

Harris then spoke with love and affection about his Nan and Pop, who had been married for more than 60 years, and the profound heartbreak surrounding the loss of his Nan. The story led into the heartfelt LOSING YOU, a moving moment that pulled at the heartstrings.

The duo also performed a couple of new songs, including GOLDEN LIGHTS and VIDEO GAMES, the latter unreleased at the time of the show. Both sounded fresh and will no doubt become staples of their set.

The most poignant moment of the night came when Macrae asked the audience to be quiet so he could share a message that meant a great deal to him. Paddy spoke about losing his brother to suicide 13 years ago who suffered from depression and the devastating toll it took on his family. He explained that he had written a letter containing all the questions he wished he had asked his brother, with the central message being “R U OK?”. This led into SIMPLE QUESTION, a raw and deeply personal song that almost brought me to tears. The emotion behind the performance, combined with the powerful message it delivered to the audience, made this an especially moving moment of the night. That emotional intensity flowed into MADELINE, a bittersweet yet upbeat heartbreak anthem, combining rich vocal harmonies with a foot-stomping rhythm.

Harris declared, “Melbourne has a reputation for being music lovers!” and challenged the audience to prove it by singing along to FOR YOUR LOVE. The response added another burst of energy to an already memorable night. The soulful BERLIN featured vibrant acoustic instrumentation and a musical and lyrical sensibility reminiscent of a classic Paul Kelly song. Paddy Macrae’s vocal delivery showcased his gifts as a musical raconteur, with an earnest, unpretentious vulnerability that brought Kelly’s distinctive storytelling style to mind.

The show closed with the signature foot-stomping rhythm, driving acoustic guitar lines and warm, breezy harmonies of GOLD, before HEADING HOME brought the night to a fitting conclusion. Its warm, twangy acoustic guitar riff and roots-driven folk melody perfectly captured the duo’s coastal identity.

It was a night to remember, combining uplifting, coastal-inflected sing-alongs and foot-stomping jubilation with moments of intimate, melancholy storytelling. The Dreggs delivered a performance full of warmth, authenticity and emotional depth, leaving the sold-out Forum Theatre with plenty to sing about and a reminder of the powerful connection music can create between artists and their audience.

THE DREGGS – SET LIST

• WE DON’T TALK
• STAY THE NIGHT
• GET KNOCKED DOWN
• GIVE MYSELF TO YOU
• FOOLISH REASONS
• PEEPS WITH THE GOODS
• TAKE ON ME (A-ha cover)
• LOSING YOU
• GOLDEN LIGHTS
• VIDEO GAMES (unreleased)
• SIMPLE QUESTION
• MADELINE
• FOR YOUR LOVE
• BERLIN
• GOLD
• HEADING HOME

REMAINING AUSTRALIAN SHOWS

• 17 October – Hindley St Music Hall, Adelaide, SA
• 7 November – Metropolis, Perth, WA