The Temper Trap, Sunsick Daisy @ Hindley Street Music Hall, Adelaide 16/9/2026
The Temper Trap are an elite proposition and their long awaited return to Adelaide for a headline show went down a treat for adoring fans who had been waiting patiently for this moment. The hearts and minds of the Adelaide faithful had been well and truly captured going down as one of this year’s finest. Touring off the back of new album Sungazer, their fourth, gave a sense of renewed purpose and not relying on past glories. They might not be the most prolific of bands in terms of releasing new music but what they have done with Sunglazer is truly remarkable.
Opening and flying the Adelaide flag was Sunsick Daisy with their brand of sour candy indie rock. They played a tight and energetic set and I would say this is best I have seen them play and with an almost sold out hometown crowd that would of lifted the collective spirits of the band. Catchy is the name of the game and they have a few tricks up their sleeve with the of Underwater, Pale Blue, Waiting For and Bitter Start which was interspersed with “niche banter” prefaced with the statement “if you know, you know”. Recycling the back story about having their artwork stolen for Over & Over which was inspired by singer Sarah Grainger’s “dead cat” is still just as priceless. Hats off to their drummer Joe who deserves some sort of award for battling on with a suspected ankle.
The scene was set for The Temper Trap to emerge from the shadows who wowed right from the get-go. The production worked hand in hand with the music with a really engaging and captivating visual display that the elevated the impact of these tunes. It was an excitable crowd who cheered loudly and the band looked genuinely surprised by the reaction given it has been a while since their last headline show here. Front man Dougy Mandagi was all smiles saying “beautiful Adelaide, it’s been a while, let’s get in to it”. Starting with a couple of gems in Love Lost and Fader we all knew we were witnessing The Temper Trap at the height of their powers. Soaring falsettos, how could you not fall for the charm of Lucky Dimes and Trembling Hands.
The power of Sungazer bats well deep beyond the singles prior to album release with the likes of Runaways and even Fools destined to be set staples. What is clear is how much The Temper Trap have broadened their scope with their sonic palette all the more richer from the lengthy break between albums. There was the occasional husky thank you and even with a false start during Lifeline they didn’t put a foot wrong. Giving some rare insight Dougy spoke about becoming a dad in the last few years, which wasn’t in the plans, describing the experience as the best thing ever writing a song about which inspired Sungazer. The story that was running in parallel on screen with Into The Wild was brilliantly done. Racing to the peak with the punchy art-rock vibes of Science Of Fear fuelled the sonic explosion of Drum Song making for an epic finish to the main set and leaving the crowd hanging for more as they left the stage.
The encore was really something offering a little light and shade and as Dougy returned he described it as “a crazy Wednesday night, a school night, can’t believe everyone wants to party.’ The spotlight shone on the acoustic inspired The Sea Is Coming making this a memorable moment maintaining that tension on Soldier On. The crowd response to Sweet Disposition was epic. Incredible to watch! This anthem unified the crowd no end topped off with Giving Up Air as the finale. Adelaide experienced something quite remarkable and one show we will be talking about for a while.
Live Review By Rob Lyon