Dance Gavin Dance, The Fall Of Troy, Galleons @ The Gov, Adelaide 10/11/2026
Incredible was seeing a line up like this on paper – Dance Gavin Dance, The Fall Of Troy and Galleons – and that was coming to little ‘ole Adelaide in the intimate surrounds of The Gov. It also signalled the start of a crazy week with gigs on every night this week with just about everyone touring through town. This tour was a celebration of Dance Gavin Dance’s new album Pantheon as well as taking a deep dive in to their highly esteemed and revered back catalogue. It is fair to say that the influence that DGD as they are affectionately known by have had a significant influence on the post-hardcore scene since bursting on to the scene in 2005.
Opening up was Galleons and for what is their first time there is definitely a buzz and a wave of excitement around these guys. That’s right, first ever tour and Adelaide was their fourth ever show. Making it even more intriguing and interesting was the fact that the Russian contingent were not able to make it to Australia for this tour leaving Thomas John Byrne as the only core member present. Thankfully, subbed in was members from Perth metalcore band Patient Sixty-Seven. That aside, Galleons were the find of the night and it is always great to have walked away from a gig discovering something new. They have been making music for eleven years so it is a case that if you know, you know! Those who did know were in to it bopping away with the live dimension bringing a whole new element to their music. Highlights included the likes Dark Magician Girl, You Who Swallowed A Falling Star and Yakisoba Dare. Topping their set off with Zenith we can only hope that there are more live shows to come in future.
The Fall Of Troy were incredible and having seen them play in Melbourne in 2025 with Hail The Sun and Closure In Moscow I didn’t think that there would be a snowball’s chance of seeing them again. Then voila! Seeing them play at The Gov was an absolute treat. The Fall Of Troy are a formidable force with front man Thomas Erak, drummer Andrew Forsman and bassist Jon-Henry “Hendo” Batts. With Erak saying it was to bright up here for a Fall Of Troy show and to “make it more spooky”. The next forty five minutes were an absolute sonic whirlwind showcasing mathcore at its very best. It took a bit to take to Adelaide fans in to it with Erak asking whether “is this an Adelaide thing, are you going to have some fun and do shit?” The core of their set was focused on self-titled and Doppelgänger. Erak it a sight to behold with plenty of strings to his bow when it comes to getting everything out of guitar playing expertise and straddling between clean and unclean vocals. Add to that the breakneck speed drumming of Andrew Forsman and Hendo who was shredding it on bass. With no set list and the attitude “we play whatever we want” it was a killer fan favourite mix of tunes Macaulay McCulkin, I Just Got This Symphony Goin’, Laces Out, Dan! to ROCKSTAR NAILBOMB! and F.C.P.R.E.M.I.X.
The stage had well and truly been warmed and with a really good crowd vibe building with Dance Gavin Dance chant going which could only mean it’s time from DGD to emerge from side of stage. First drop was Animal Surgery and it was on, the band were ready to party with Eidola front man Andrew Wells encouraged the crowd to open up the pit, have fun and look after each other. Wells acknowledged that it had been a few years since their last visit and said “take us back to the mothership” which was followed by a dash of nostalgia with set staples Chucky vs. The Giant Tortoise and Lemon Meringue Tie adding to the fever pitch excitement. What’s not to love about DGD? This was DGD at their very best.
New songs Midnight At McGuffy’s, Speed Demon and Synergy were well placed keeping the flow and energy of the show at a high. I think that’s something they did really, really well was balancing the old with the new, honouring their past and celebrating their legacy. The olden golden combo of It’s Safe to Say You Dig the Backseat and Uneasy Hearts Weigh the Most went down swimmingly and if you were a DGD fanatic you would have lost your mind. Seriously good! Deep cut Trap Door was a nice surprise and one for the highlights reel. It didn’t end there either with Blue Dream and set closer The Stickler to complete what was already a brilliant night.
The DGD chant started for hoping to entice the band back for more, noted and successful. Wells said this was one of those rare intimate shows that they play and “as punk rock as it gets”. Score Adelaide! Wrapping up with some absolute DGD gems All The Way Down and Evaporate to send Adelaide home on a high. Great show and I get the sense that all three bands will be back much sooner.
Live Review By Rob Lyon