Maggie Lindemann, Mariae Cassandra @ The Gov, Adelaide 12/5/2026
American singer songwriter Maggie Lindemann played her debut Adelaide show at the home of live music at The Gov. It was a high energy, high intensity performance which was matched by an enthusiastic and die hard fan base who revelled in the moment. Surprising that there wasn’t more venturing out to see her play but the crowd that were there more than made up for it. Right from the moment she stepped on stage she had the crowd transfixed and in the palm of her hands. There was no dialling it in either playing her new album i feel everything in full pus a selection from debut album SUCKERPUNCH and EP’s PARANOIA and HEADSPLIT with the set list spanning some twenty five songs.
Right from the get go she was able to take the album to a whole new level making these songs hit even harder going full throttle with fang and spine. Not only is she easy on the eye there is something catchy and infectious with her vocals which are dynamic and she has such a commanding stage presence that it is hard to look away. joyride and fate continue that vibe and it didn’t matter which song it was in the set the crowd knew each one word for word singing them back to her. With so much territory to cover it felt at times a bit rushed as one song had barely finished before rolling in to the next one. Nevertheless, what we got was authentic Maggie Lindemann and that can’t be faked.
The set list was definitely a journey taking fans through her lived experiences negotiating the ups, downs and inbetweens. There was the emotive gut punches to the more genuine tender moments showing some light and shade giving greater insight to her world making this performance all the more compelling. The highlights reel is full including the likes of i don’t belong here, self sabotage, Crash and Burn, heartdrop and Knife Under My Pillow. The strength of her performance was the amount of singles that couldn’t be squeezed in to the set list and there are loads of ’em and is clear she has evolved from her earlier pop leanings to a more alt-punk firebrand that’s angsty as much as it’s refined.
The energy and intensity did not dip for a second with the second half of the performance just as lively with the likes of let me burn, hear me out and split impressing and affirming that the hearts and minds of fans had been captured. Her band was top shelf also and they all had their moment to shine transforming the album to a captivating live experience. Closing songs one of ones and her mission statement of sorts i feel everything were incredible. Pretty awesome way to spend a Tuesday night.
It would be remiss not to mention opening act Mariae Cassandra who was a top choice to get the night off to a rousing start. Mariae has plenty of tricks in the kit bag and this is just the beginning for this rising talent. There’s a few gems in that kit bag including the likes of Maybe It All Works Out In The End, Love Vomit and Theodore. No doubt, we’ll be hearing the name Mariae Cassandra a lot more in 2026.
Live Review By Rob Lyon