CONCERT REVIEW: You Me At Six’s Final Melbourne Show

After two decades, ten albums released and their huge mark they’ve made on the music industry, UK rockers You Me At Six are currently competing one more victory lap around the world to mark the end of an era. The US had already said their farewells and next up it was Australia, with their first show on this leg of the tour in Brisbane complete, it was finally time for the Final Nights of Six Tour to grace Melbourne’s Forum.

A huge majority of the crowd turned up early to ensure they were here to show their full support for our openers. First up was a familiar face—Jenna McDougall, best known as the frontwoman of Tonight Alive, now performing under her solo project Hevenshe. Her indie-rock sound, paired with her natural charisma, immediately captivated the audience. She took a moment to acknowledge how many people were already singing along. Next, Welsh rock band, Holding Absence, these guys have been making waves in the music scene, and for good reason. I cannot recommend people to see these guys live enough and the new generation of rock lovers are certainly in safe hands with these guys as they deliver everything you could want in a modern rock band along with a captivating live performance. They credited YMAS for inspiration for their music and acknowledging that this was definitely a full circle moment for them heading out on this tour to farewell them.

The venue was now packed to the brim with eager fans who sold out the show. Figures walked across the stage taking their positions as the crowd cheered them on, anticipating what song we were going to hear first. Room To Breathe started out and the crowd lost it, what an absolute tune to start out the night!

From Stay With Me, to Straight To My Head, to Crash; track after track, a reminder of what we are truly losing. These guys and their music have been such a staple within all of our lives and played a part in our music journey in one way or another. The whole band looked like they were taking in every little moment of the show, making the most of it and putting all the energy they could into their performance, sounding exactly as they did twenty years ago, if not better. Frontman Josh Franceschi, prefaced Lived a Lie by declaring it the night’s crowd-surfing anthem. Fans wasted no time throwing themselves into the wave of bodies, each one met at the front by a handshake from Josh—well, most of them, as a few left him hanging.

The sadness suddenly hit me as the room erupted in a sing along with phone torches lighting up the venue in camaraderie as Take On The World played out. The setlist was a perfect balance of songs throughout each era of the band, delivering what I can imagine, exactly what fans hoped for on their final tour. Of course, it wouldn’t be a Melbourne show without a classic shoey, and Josh didn’t disappoint the crowds chanting, downing a drink from a lucky fan’s shoe.

Beautiful Way closed out the show and the band slipped offstage, but the crowd wasn’t ready to let go. Stomping, chanting, and pleading for more. The band returned to the stage, for not one, but three more songs. Bite My Tongue saw Josh take on Oli Sykes’ screaming parts flawlessly, Reckless turned the energy up another notch, and then of course – Underdog and the crowd became more lively than ever, screaming louder than they had all night, giving the send out off the band truly deserved.

It was such a bittersweet night celebrating their music, soaking up all of the nostalgia while also having to say our goodbyes and the fact this is the last time we will hear these songs live on the forefront of our minds. As they continue on their Australian leg, with them taking their final bow in the UK, we wish them nothing but the best.

Thank you You Me At Six for your music and the memories.