The Living End hit Hobart on Friday evening as the third stop on their sold-out regional ‘I Only Trust Rock & Roll’ Tour, celebrating the release of 2025’s album of the same name.
Over 1200 fans crammed their way into the Odeon Theatre to witness the continuation of a story which began back in 1994 before exploding into the greater Australian conscience in 1997 with their second EP gaining much interest from radio and new-found fans across the country.
The band have been touring regularly across the years, and have never lost their appeal, with their melodic mix of rockabilly, punk and straight up rock & roll proving to be a perfect recipe for their numerous fans (and newcomers alike). The show was also an all-ages event, with many younger people present with their eager parents, which was great to see given the later start.
The band took to the stage with one of their best known tunes, Second Solution, which provided the perfect start to ignite the large crowd that by now was beginning to heave with anticipation for a great evening of rock & roll – and they were far from disappointed. Rolling through a veritable smorgasbord of their hits from across the years, including Roll On, Pictures In The Mirror, West End Riot and White Noise amongst many more.
The older songs sit beautifully well with The Living End’s new material from the current album. Songs such as the pacey Misery, Roller, Alfie and titular track, I Only Trust Rock & Roll show that the band are continuing their tradition of pumping out high octane music, a fact which undoubtedly keeps their fans highly connected.
As far as their performance was concerned, the three boys are showing no great signs of slowing down, and they are obviously up for the challenge this evening. Despite them being veterans and stalwarts of the live Australian (and world) scene, they remain as potent, and popular as ever.
Scott Owen continues to provide plenty of memorable moments and thrills for the audience as he lithely clambers up onto his checkered double bass while playing, one of the moments that always lifts the crowd.
Chris Cheney delivers vocals that are as effervescent and powerful as ever while showcasing his glorious skills on the six strings of his beloved Gretsch as Andy Strachan prowls around behind the kit as he keeps up a frenetic pace throughout the evening. The music is tight, crisp and delivered with a sense of great fun – a fact which doesn’t go unnoticed by the audience as they join in singing and moving with the music. It’s infectious, it’s fun and it is absolutely legendary.
Setlist
Second Solution
Roll On
Misery
Pictures In The Mirror
How Do We Know?
Roller
All Torn Down
End Of The World
Alfie
E Boogie
Fly Away
Strange Place
Save Us
West End Riot
White Noise
_____Encore_____
I Only Trust Rock & Roll
Prisoner Of Society
Harry
The Living End Gallery:
Queenstown power trio, Big Alcatraz had the great honour of supporting the boys from The Living End, and were obviously hugely impressed at their good fortune. They played a rollicking set of up-tempo rock and roll, even playing a song titled ‘Long Live Rock & Roll’ in a tribute to their heroes who were to follow. Their set was avidly received by a quickly-growing crowd, and no doubt won themselves a bunch of new fans in the process as they warmed the crowd for the main event.
Big Alcatraz Gallery:
Many thanks to The Living End, Face To Face Touring and The Odeon Hobart for access to the show.
All images: ©fullonrockphotography/Andrew Fuller
