A damp Sydney winter evening does little to dampen the mood outside the Metro Theatre, where the queue snakes around the block long before doors open. Brisbane indie favourites Last Dinosaurs are set to revisit the album that transformed them from promising upstarts into one of Australia’s defining indie bands of the 2010s. Ten years after Wellness first soundtracked countless late nights and festival afternoons, the record returns to the stage in full, and the anticipation inside the packed venue is unmistakable.
Before that, Californian trio Bad Suns ease the crowd into the evening with a polished set that highlights why they have remained one of indie rock’s most dependable acts over the past decade. Drawing on the melodic sensibilities of post-punk while wrapping them in bright West Coast hooks, Christo Bowman and company deliver songs that feel effortlessly buoyant without losing their emotional core. Their chemistry is undeniable, and by the time they leave the stage, the Metro is fully warmed up.
When Last Dinosaurs emerge, the reaction borders on euphoric. Sean and Lachlan Caskey, joined by bassist Michael Sloane, immediately tap into the affection that Wellness continues to inspire. Rather than simply recreating the record, the band breathe fresh life into it, the songs retaining the sparkling guitars, irresistible grooves and effortless melodic instincts that made the album such a defining release for Australian indie rock.
What becomes striking over the course of the night is just how well these songs have aged. Tracks that once felt tied to a particular moment now carry an enduring warmth, balancing dancefloor energy with wistful reflection.
A decade on from its release, Wellness still captures the carefree optimism that made it so beloved, yet hearing it performed in full also underlines the band’s quiet evolution. Since then, Last Dinosaurs have expanded their catalogue through Yumeno Garden, From Mexico With Love, KYORYU and the reimagined Wellnxss, but tonight reminds everyone why this album remains such an important touchstone. Judging by the atmosphere inside the Metro, Wellness has lost none of its ability to bring people together, one shimmering chorus at a time.
Images Deb Pelser
