Report and photos by Tania Graham-Brown
Genre defying Los Angeles four-piece SAINT MOTEL have finally arrived in Australia, bringing their gleeful blend of genres and sonic influence last night to Sydney’s Metro Theatre.
Saint Motel’s first ever Sydney show was a technicolour collision of sound, theatre, and pure joy. Packing the Metro Theatre to the rafters, the LA quartet wasted no time proving why their brand of widescreen indie-pop has translated so well from streaming playlists to the stage.
Frontman A/J Jackson worked the room like a showman born for the footlight, turning the floor into a chorus of voices with every familiar hook. Tracks like My Type and Cold Cold Man sent the Metro into overdrive, but even the deeper cuts carried the same sparkle, all buoyed by sharp brass lines, crystalline keys, and rhythms built for movement.
The production was slick but not overblown. Lights pulsed in playful sync with choruses, while the sound mix kept everything taut and immediate – an impressive feat in a room that can be notoriously tricky. The result was a set that felt both polished and spontaneous, with enough raw energy to keep the dance floor moving from start to finish.
Charlie Collins opened with a warm, melodic set that eased the crowd in, but Saint Motel’s arrival felt like a release of pent-up anticipation. After years of waiting for an Australian debut, the atmosphere carried the giddy charge of a long-delayed reunion between band and fans.
By the time the final notes rang out, the Metro was drenched in sweat and smiles – a fitting welcome for a band whose entire ethos is about turning the everyday into a celebration.
SAINT MOTEL AUSTRALIAN TOUR DATES
General tickets available via Handsome Tours HERE
Wednesday 1 October Princess Theatre Brisbane
Thursday 2 October Croxton Bandroom Melbourne
Saturday 4 October WANDERER FESTIVAL Pambula Beach
