The Sydney Opera House Forecourt became the ultimate indie haven last week as Two Door Cinema Club and Declan McKenna took centre stage for the On the Steps concert series. The evening was a masterclass in pairing sharp, crowd-pleasing performances with an iconic backdrop that confidently ranks among the most spectacular venues in the world.
The night began with London’s Soft Launch, whose classic indie-rock sound set a tone as golden as the setting sun glinting off the harbour. Their melodies, including their recent hit ‘Piano Hands’, matched the warmth of the evening perfectly, creating an inviting prelude to the night’s main acts. There’s something about the early evening glow on the Forecourt that lends itself to moments like this—a band winning over a growing crowd, each note complementing the stunning surroundings.
Declan McKenna followed, catapulting the mood into something even more electric. Known for his mix of political lyricism and pop sensibility, McKenna delivered a high-energy set that blurred the lines between social commentary and danceable anthems. Hits like ‘Why Do You Feel So Down’ and ‘Brazil’ had fans screaming his name, with one holding a sign that read, “DECLAN DRAW MY TATTOO”—a surreal yet somehow unsurprising nod to McKenna’s uniquely devoted fanbase. His performance was a polished display of charisma, underscored by the kind of sing-along moments that feel tailor-made for summer nights by the water.
As twilight deepened and the skyscraper lights replaced the hues of dusk, Two Door Cinema Club took the stage. Opening with the punchy one-two of ‘This Is the Life’ and ‘I Can Talk’, the Northern Irish trio wasted no time exciting the crowd. Their sound, a tight blend of indie rock hooks and dancefloor rhythms we’ve come to know and adore, has been a staple on festival lineups for over a decade, and this performance was a reminder of why. Each track felt meticulously crafted for a venue like this—open-air, grand, a kind of spectacle.
Standout moments included ‘What You Know’ and ‘Undercover Martyn’, songs whose propulsive beats seemed to ripple through the crowd as the Opera House stood silhouetted against the sky. The sheer energy of the band’s set had the Forecourt dancing in unison, a sea of movement framed by one of the world’s most recognisable skylines – wow. Outside the gates, fans could be seen sitting low to the ground, trying to catch glimpses of the band as they played some of the biggest hits of the 2010’s.
Yet, the night’s magic wasn’t purely in the music—it was in the setting, an alchemy of sound and scenery. Watching the sky shift from orange to deep blue, then fade to black as the city’s lights twinkled in the distance, added a cinematic quality to the evening, all with the perfect indie-movie soundtrack to match.
The On the Steps series has a knack for curating lineups that feel perfectly attuned to the venue, and this was no exception. A celebration of live music in a setting that demands the audience pause, look around, and appreciate the fleeting magic of a summer evening in Eora/Sydney. Super cool, truly special.
Image Credit: Jessamy Hutton
