By pure chance, the two gigs we were hanging out for in 2025 — The Preatures in Canberra and Cloud Control in Sydney — ended up being the two we had to cancel. So when we spotted them joining forces for a double bill for Twilight @ Taronga, it felt like the universe teeing up a do‑over. Even better, it was all‑ages, which meant we could bring our three kids along and let them in on the bands we grew up with.
Two acts returning from hiatus. Two soundtracks to our younger years. One perfect summer night to share it all with the next generation.
The Preatures are one of those Australian rock bands whose music feels
stitched into a particular era — warm summers, 2013, windows down, everything
golden. Hearing Isabella Manfredi’s voice again reminded me how timeless it is:
nostalgic without ageing, familiar without ever feeling stale. It actually made
this review harder to write, because how do you critique something that’s lived
in your memory for a decade?
The set was exactly what you want from The Preatures: upbeat, mid‑tempo,
groovy, funky — that signature blend they’ve always done so well. And they
still have it. The stage presence was confident, inspiring, and at
times undeniably sexy. They know how to command a crowd without forcing it.
A standout moment was learning something new about an old favourite, Yanada.
Realising there was more depth and meaning there than I understood ten years
ago made me appreciate the band in a whole new way. It’s rare for a song you’ve
known forever to suddenly expand like that.
The newer material leaned slower, more reflective — like a band who has
grown up, lived a bit, and is letting that maturity seep into the music. It
feels like they’re building toward something, and honestly, I’d keep an eye out
for a new album soon.
Now that The Preatures are back, put them straight on your must‑see list. They still have it — completely. You can feel the passion again, especially in their live show, where that spark they’ve always had is burning brighter than ever. Bands like this shouldn’t be taken for granted; you never really know where the finish line is, and catching them while they’re in full flight feels like a gift.
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