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Architects live in Sydney – review and photos

February 22, 2023

We sent photographer/reporter Adam Davis-Powell along to The Hordern Pavilion in Sydney to catch UK act Architects:

I was fortunate enough to witness Architects supported by Thornhill and Counterparts. As a music enthusiast and photographer, I was particularly excited to see this line-up, and I was not disappointed. Thornhill’s energy reverberated through the venue to get the night started. They had the crowd bouncing and singing along to their choruses, and their stage presence was that of a headline act.

Next up was Counterparts, and lead singer Brendan Murphy wasted no time commanding the stage. The band opened with “Whispers of Your Death,” which Brendan dedicated to his late cat. His impressive vocal range ranged from signature metalcore screams to almost death metal pig squeals. The guitarists, Alex Re and Jesse Doreen, owned the huge stage (which actually has a runway addition tonight) with their back-and-forth movements. Despite their humble gratitude for the audience, they definitely showed that they could own the stage in the second support slot.

As we eagerly awaited Architects, Richie Hardcore, an advocate for stopping sexual violence against women, gave a powerful speech that received unison cheering from the audience. It was an excellent way to open the set from the Brighton boys.

The lights dimmed, and the band walked on stage to deafening cheers. They kicked off with “Black Lungs,” and the crowd screamed back the hook, “Good Lord, it’s enough to plague a saint!” The band’s latest album, ‘The Classic Symptoms Of A Broken Spirit,’ has been a huge success, with airtime on many Aussie radio stations. It was fantastic to see how they managed to maintain their metal roots while appealing to a wider audience.The light show was fantastic, and while they didn’t have LED walls, they made up for it with an incredible lighting design that was strobe-heavy. The band played a diverse set of new and old songs, including stripped-back versions of some classics. Sam, the lead singer, was struck by the audience’s politeness, which allowed him to speak between songs. He did, however, turn down the chant of “shoe-ey, shoe-ey,”and I don’t blame him!

The band finished a 20+ song set with ‘Animals’, and hell, they were not taking any prisoners! The audience were jumping in harmony, and left the Hordern Pavilion feeling fulfilled when the lights dimmed.

Architects put on an epic show, and I’m so glad I was able to attend. The entire band gave it their all, and the audience was thrilled. As a music photographer (and long-time fan of these guys), it was fucking amazing to see how the band have grown so much in their almost twenty years playing music they love and love to share. This tour was a must-see for any metal fan, and it delivered in every way. If you’re in the UK in June, make sure to check them out at Download Festival!