The Temper Trap Land in Canberra... at Floriade of All Places! The Temper Trap make a massive landing in Canberra... and at Floriade of all places! Who would've thought?
So what did we do? Packed up the family and headed to Night Fest to watch one of our favourite bands of all time. We love them that much that Sweet Disposition was actually our song when we walked down the aisle at our wedding.
We were extra stoked to see them because they've returned with a brand new album this year, Sungazer, which we absolutely loved. It had been such a long wait between records that we'd almost given up hope, but they delivered an absolute belter. One of our favourite albums of the year.
Anyway, enough about that. Let's get into the show.
From the very first note, Dougy Mandagi hit us right in the heart. The man's voice is simply incredible. How one person can move so effortlessly between those soaring highs and rich lows is something only a handful of singers in the world can do.
And just like that, the nostalgia kicks in.
Everything feels so familiar, so deeply connected to your roots as a music fan. It reminds you that no one sounds quite like The Temper Trap. They have their own identity and they're exceptionally good at it.
What has always impressed us about this band is that they're all incredible musicians. They're multi-instrumentalists who know exactly how to build a song, perform it flawlessly and lift a crowd. A truly professional outfit from top to bottom.
One of the standout moments of the night was the instrumental Drum Song, which completely took us on a journey. Our bodies simply couldn't stop moving. The layers of percussion added throughout the track showcased just how talented this band is musically. It proved that it's not just about the vocals. The musicianship is every bit as powerful.
For an hour, the setlist was stacked with banger after banger. You almost forget just how many classics The Temper Trap have in their catalogue until they're playing them one after another in front of you.
What impressed us most, though, was how seamlessly the new material blended into the set. The songs from Sungazer sat comfortably alongside fan favourites and never felt out of place. In fact, even people who clearly hadn't spent much time with the new record were dancing along and quickly picking up the lyrics.
To be honest, we weren't quite sure what to expect crowd-wise.
But the crowd was HUGE.
Most people were on their feet and well and truly getting amongst it. We even got the feeling that The Temper Trap themselves were surprised by the size of the crowd gathered at a flower festival. That's the sort of pull this band still has, and it's a testament to just how much they're loved.
But perhaps the most special part of the night wasn't on the stage at all. It was looking around and seeing our kids dancing their hearts out, riding on our shoulders and sharing big smiles with each other. Having them there alongside their cousins, Nana, Aunty and us made it one of those moments we'll remember forever. That's what makes music so special. It's more than songs. It's memories, connections and milestones that stay with you throughout life.
The Temper Trap were the soundtrack to our teenage years. They were there when Sweet Disposition accompanied us down the aisle at our wedding, and now they're part of another chapter as we share those same songs with our children. Watching them laugh, dance and experience a band that has meant so much to us over the years was incredibly special. It's not often you get to watch a band grow with you through your teenage years, your marriage and into family life, but that's exactly what The Temper Trap have done. Standing there together, three generations of family enjoying the same music was a reminder of just how powerful live music can be.
If you haven't listened to Sungazer yet, do yourself a favour. It's one of our favourite albums of the year.
Tracks from Sungazer to check out:
Lucky Dimes
These Arms
Giving Up Air
Into The Wild
Runaways
And finally, a special mention to Lily B, who opened the evening.
It was great to experience another talented local Canberra artist, and we've already added a few of her tracks to our playlist. We always love seeing local artists thriving and making the most of opportunities like these.
What a night. Nostalgia, new music, family memories and one of Australia's best live bands delivering exactly what we've missed for all these years.
The Temper Trap are back, and they haven't missed a beat. 🎵❤️👏
Gig Photos by dale_wowk (instagram)
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