BLISS N ESO – FORUM THEATRE – MELBOURNE – 28.06.2025
Review: Craig Eriksson. Photos: Jason Rosewarne
Hip-hop culture has exploded around the world and last night we saw one of Australia’s finest and enduring hip-hop trios Bliss N Eso perform their ‘Party on The Moon Australian Tour 2025’ to a sold out house at the Forum Theatre in Melbourne.
It blows my mind that I last saw Bliss N Eso (BNE) 21 years ago at the 2004 Pyramid Rock Festival on Phillip Island. I may have been a wee bit younger and wilder back then, but that certainly didn’t stop me getting drawn into the spirit of the music last night. BNE have been doing this for a quarter of a century and still deliver a high energy performance and involve the audience from the get-go.
On this tour we see BNE promoting their latest 8th studio album The Moon which is a two part project. The Moon (The Light Side) is currently available and sitting at #1 on the Australian album charts. The Moon (The Dark Side) is scheduled for release in early October.
Melburnian rapper/singer/songwriter Benjamin Townsend known as Ivan Ooze was the support, backed by DJ Junor SUTHN WOT on the decks. Ivan entertained the crowd with his freestylin’ brand of hip-hop. He was like a dog on heat the way he tore up the stage using up every square inch of the stage to connect with the crowd. His quick rapping style, enthusiasm and outlandish persona stood out and made it such a fun show. He constantly engaged with the crowd through call and response. A cover of Gorillaz BONKERS went down a treat. Ivan got two punters on stage to engage in a dance off. His song BETTER OFF ALONE was the big hit of his set with the jovial crowd singing along enthusiastically. Ivan finished with FIRE and then DJ Junor continued playing a set of hip-hop classics to keep the crowd warmed up ready for BNE.
Bliss N Eso are a trio of Sydney-based hip-hop rappers featuring Jonathan ‘MC Bliss’ Notley, Max ‘Eso’ MacKinnon and Tarik ‘DJ Izm’ Ejjamai on decks. They also include Dan ‘DK’ Kerby on drums. BNE’s opener starts with a cinematic pre-show of old footage at BNE HQ followed by JFK’s 1962 speech outlining America’s plan to land men on the moon and then footage of the astronauts’ successfully landing. It was an incredible build up before BNE emerged on stage and let fly with ZION BASH from 2008 Flying Colours. Bliss then greets the crowd, looks up and admires the majestic ceiling of the Forum Theatre with its roman statues and encourages the crowd to TEAR THE ROOF OFF as they launch into this fast-paced, anthem-like song from 2017 Off The Grid. The energy and excitement of this song manifested into the crowd and saw a sea of bodies bouncing up and down to the beat drops in unison. It was a euphoric, feel-good atmosphere and so great to see fans of all ages connecting with the music. ACT YOUR AGE from 2013 Circus In The Sky followed. continuing on with the positive vibe.
BNE then played FEELING FLY from The Moon (The Light Side). At the song intro, BNE instructed all the women to sing one verse and the men another verse. It was a perfect call-and-response moment with the crowd fully engaged yelling out ‘Hell Yeah!’ The song lyrics appeared on the large screen for the crowd to sing along to. It was clear this new song is already a big hit with fans. BNE sang 8 songs from the new albums including PARTY ON THE MOON. BNE went into the crowd for REFLECTIONS from 2010 Running On Air. This was definitely a standout and fan favourite in the show. DJ Izm and DK then played a solo while Bliss N Eso made their way back to the main stage. BNE appeared dressed in sun hats and Hawaiian shirts with a beautiful beach backdrop during VACATION creating a feel-good, chilled vibe.
During the show, BNE invited several guest artists on stage to join them along with having some cameo artists (Dizzy Rascal and Xzibit) appear on the cinematic screen. The cinematic backdrop, choreography and stage lighting was captivating, creating an electric vibe on the night.
BEEN THROUGH HELL saw Australian hip-hop artist 360 join them on stage along with Benny Morrell. Benny remained on stage to sing 3AM and REACH THE HEAVENS and Grinspoon re-mix CHEMICAL HEART from the new album. BE OK from The Moon ‘The Dark Side’ saw guest singer Baker ‘BG’ Grace join BNE and they ventured into the middle of the theatre amongst the crowd and filmed the video clip to promote this new song saying “we’ve just made history!”
I AM SOMEBODY (2013), MOMENTS (2017), GET YOUR BOOF ON (2006), OG’s (2021) and THE SEA IS RISING (2008) were other popular sing-a-longs and had everyone belting out these songs with such passion.
They performed a 2-song encore with MY LIFE (2013), where all their special guests along with Ivan Ooze and DJ Junor joined them on stage. When you think the night couldn’t get any better, they finished with their anthem ADDICTED (2010), which is about being addicted to life (not drugs).
Overall, fans got a great taste from BNE’s back catalogue and also got to hear the new songs live throughout their 90 minute, 24 song set. BNE played tracks that spanned decades and there were no lull moments in this non-stop, high energy, entertaining show. Most of their songs are upbeat and inspirational, sending out a strong message of hope and resiliency and to love, value and respect each other and our world. At the end of the show, Bliss N Eso thanked fans for their love and support over the years and had everyone ending the night yelling PEACE LOVE & UNITY.
SET LIST:
Pre-Show Intro – BNE HQ.
Intro – JFK – A Show
Zion Bash
Tear The Roof Off
Act Your Age
Feeling Fly
On One
Get Your Boof On
Dizzy Rascal Skit
Party On The Moon
Reflections
Izm / DK
(Skit) Vacation
Been Through Hell (with 360 & Benny Morrell)
3AM (with Benny Morrell)
Reach the Heavens (with Benny Morrell)
I Am Somebody
Moments
Be OK (with Baker ‘BG’ Grace)
Xzibit Skit
OG’s
Chemical Heart (GEED UP) – (Grinspoon remix)
The Sea is Rising
Encore:
My Life
Addicted
