Two Door Cinema Club & Declan McKenna – Margaret Court Arena
Sunday night at Margaret Court Arena was anything but sleepy as indie giants Declan McKenna and Two Door Cinema Club delivered a thrilling co-headline performance. Supported by rising act Soft Launch, the evening showcased the best of the indie music scene, with vibrant melodies and memorable moments.
Soft Launch opened the night with a polished set; starting with Easier, which set a relaxed but engaging tone for the night. They quickly picked up the energy with In My Bed and Dinosaur, showcasing their tight instrumental work. The highlight of the set came with I Wouldn’t Get Your Hopes Up – a slower, reflective track that demonstrated the band’s depth and lyrical prowess. Closing with Piano Hands, Soft Launch left the audience eager for the main acts.
Declan McKenna kicked off his set with That’s Life, greeting the crowd with a lively ‘What’s going on, Melbourne?’ This was followed by Beautiful Faces, during which McKenna encouraged the audience to raise their arms in rhythm. Next came Mulholland’s Dinner and Wine, which brought catchy hooks and a touch of his sun-soaked Californian influences. Why Do You Feel So Down followed, with McKenna urging everyone to get up and dance along.
After a shout-out to Soft Launch, McKenna played Mezzanine, a new song from his latest album, while taking a moment to joke about Melbourne’s tennis culture. The pace picked up with Isombard, a Brit-pop-inspired track from his debut album that had fans bouncing. The Key to Life on Earth came next, accompanied by striking solar-themed visuals that perfectly matched the song’s introspective tone. The audience was then treated to Nothing Works, before McKenna jumped on the keys for Be an Astronaut; a dramatic moment with phone lights creating a sea of stars in the arena.
The final part of McKenna’s set was a showcase of his most beloved tracks. Champagne continued the reflective mood, before Brazil lit up the arena with an explosion of energy and singalongs. He closed with British Bombs, delivering a politically charged performance, and The Phantom Buzz, during which he leaned over the crowd to shred his guitar alongside his fans.
Two Door Cinema Club opened their set with This Is the Life, immediately igniting the crowd. I Can Talk and Sleep Alone followed, both drawing loud cheers and nonstop movement from the audience. Sure Enough, a newer track, brought in a fresh twist before the band launched into Changing of the Seasons, which kept the energy soaring. Bassist Kevin Baird paused to reflect on their long history with Melbourne, leading into Do You Want It All?.
The band then moved into their early work, with Something Good Can Work evoking a sense of nostalgia. Tracks like Costume Party and Come Back Home showcased their evolving sound, while Handshake saw Baird thanking the crowd for making their Sunday night unforgettable. Wonderful Life brought an infectious groove, followed by The World is Watching and Are We Ready? (Wreck).
With the set starting to wrap up, the band launched into Eat That Up, It’s Good for You, before ramping up the mood for Undercover Martyn, which drove the crowd into a frenzy, and Cigarettes in the Theatre. Continuing on with the good vibes, the band performed Sun, with fans belting out the final chorus, before finishing with What You Know – a perfect end to the evening. Leaving us with a ‘This has been a real treat, thank you for joining us’, Two Door Cinema Club once again left the audience with an unforgettable night.