The Rubens, Selve, The Fuss @ The Gov, Adelaide 23/10/2026
A full house at The Gov on a Friday night does not get any better than that which was topped off by an awesome show from The Rubens. It was a big day for The Rubens having released their sixth studio album Group Therapy and what a way to commemorate the occasion. The first show on this tour to sell out and another reminder of the love Adelaide has for this band and also a subtle statement to tour here more regularly. With an all ages show it was great to see fans both young and old come together an enjoy a night full of great Australian music. There was a really good vibe at The Gov and I’d be surprised if there was anyone who left not being impressed with what they experienced.
Flying the Adelaide flag was up and coming alt-indie band The Fuss who relished in the opportunity to play in front a huge hometown crowd so much so that even impending nuptials the following day for one of the band members was not enough to stop them from being there. Even the bridal party was there apparently! Great sound and a good mix of tunes with catchy hooks even throwing in a Kings Of Leon cover Sex On Fire encouraging the crowd to get involved. There were some great moments with the likes of Glass Houses, Clementine and set closer It Wouldn’t Kill.
Up next was Gold Coast alt-rockers Selve who in my humble opinion are our new favourite band. Their music on streaming is one thing but they take it to a whole other level live. Seriously wow! They are a real find and someone should be signing them up as they have got the goods. Their brand of catchy synth rock pop is catchy and infectious as all hell bringing plenty of colour and splendour to The Gov. It was a really good mood lifter getting the party started with Breaking Into Heaven followed by Loki Horror Picture Show and Natural Born Killa. Feet shuffling, hips shaking… the energy lifted ten fold. It was first time in Adelaide for Selve and quite the introduction. They have plenty of tricks up their sleeves and there is a lot to like about what they do and how they go about. Other favs from their set was Strange Romance, Analogue Brain Rot, Rapture and Changin’ My Name. Will be seeking out their records this week.
The Gov started to fill with a smokey haze making for an interesting aesthetic for The Rubens. Six albums to their credit now with so many possibilities created that sense of anticipation of what and wouldn’t be played this time round. At first drop was Love Me America and coincidentally the opening track from Group Therapy. This is all class, well drilled, great songs and play them brilliantly. Classics My Gun, God Forgot and Love In Life followed early… heck! Recent single Goanna featured prominently with vocalist and front man Sam Margin taking a minute to reflect on Adelaide being a special place them acknowledging this was the first show to sell out.
The new album is packed full of great tunes all equally deserving a guernsey in the live set making for some tough choices about what’s in and what’s not. Bright Light is one of those destined to be a set staple. The good times kept coming with Good Mood (which we were all in), Pets and Drugs and Cornerstone. Sam spoke about his love of playing intimate venues like The Gov and being able to connect with the fans on a different level. Stripping it back in acoustic mode going with Never Ever (minus the traditional female duet) followed by a Aussie classic My Happiness by Powderfinger (and maybe a bit of a nudge to be included as a support on their massive tour next year).
Time flies when you’re having fun and with No Champagne, Masterpiece, Lay It Down and Muddy Evil Pain to close out the main set I think I could have walked away with my cup filled. At this point it is a staggering thought considering the calibre of songs left out. The crowd made plenty of noise to get the band to return finishing on Hoops and Black Balloon wrapping up an awesome Friday night. Ok, we’re ready for an encore tour!
Live Review By Rob Lyon