Pennywise & Millencolin in Sydney – review and photos
Adam Davis-Powell was at Sydney’s Enmore Theatre to review and photograph a match made in punk rock heaven:
When Destroy All Lines announced this perfect duo tour back in November last year, the punk rock community cheered. Two of the most loved bands of that ilk, on the same tour… co-headline… fucking sign me up! And they did not disappoint. The audience was varied, bringing the die-hard 40-50-year-olds out of the local boozer to wave some fists, the 30-year-olds out of the woodwork to start some circle pits, and the new-age fans off fucking TikTok to see some IRL music. Not to mention all the wee nippers that came along for the crazy ride.
Fake News started the night off to a pretty busy room. Playing their first Sydney show that night, they had a remarkable amount of the audience singing along to their jams. They brought plenty of banter between songs, gearing the audience up for the night ahead. A standout moment was their guitarist donning a cycling helmet—random, but it worked with their tomfoolery. They were the perfect fit for this tour, delivering a set that was fun, fast, and full of energy. A solid warm-up for the chaos that followed.
Pennywise took the stage next. Maybe they did a coin flip to decide who got the ‘headline slot,’ or maybe the venue preferred them not to actually headline due to the 250-person stage invasion when they played the Enmore Theatre back in 2022—who knows? But guitarist Fletcher remarked that he was stoked they were playing first, so they could sink some beers during their longtime friends Millencolin’s set. A true nod to punk rock brotherhood.
I have personally been listening to Pennywise since 2000—a quarter of a century—and I still love this band. I love what they stand for, I love their music, and I love their energy on stage. They came out swinging with “My Own Country,” setting the tone for a relentless, high-energy set. “It’s What You Do” and “Who’s to Blame” followed, keeping the crowd bouncing, fists in the air. “Homesick” hit hard as a nostalgic anthem, and their cover of “Down Under” was a cheeky nod to their Aussie fans, who sang it louder than the band themselves.
Pennywise kept things moving with classics like “Society,” “Fuck Authority,” and “Perfect People”—each song inciting bigger circle pits and louder singalongs. Jim’s vocals were as powerful as you’d expect, and Fletcher’s guitar work was just as punishing. By the time they hit “Living for Today,” the energy in the room was electric. They closed their set with the worldwide classic “Bro Hymn,” and while we didn’t get another 250 pissed-up punters storming the stage, we did get 30 or so close friends and family up there, belting it out in classic Pennywise fashion. They never cease to amaze me, and I always leave their shows with a smile on my face. Cheers, boys.
Millencolin closed the night, and these Swedes have been a staple of the punk rock community for over 30 years. Their happy-go-lucky brand of punk is, in my mind, the epitome of skate punk—a sound that just screams good times. From the first note of “Penguins & Polarbears,” the crowd was all in, singing every word, fists in the air, jumping in unison. Their setlist was a perfect blend of old-school classics and newer material, keeping everyone engaged from start to finish.
“Da Strike” and “Fox” hit early, sending the crowd into a frenzy, with “Bullion” bringing out the purest form of punk energy. “Loozin’ Must” and “True Brew” proved that their newer material still holds its weight, while “Ray” provided brief but powerful moments of melody before diving back into relentless party bangers. The band’s chemistry on stage was undeniable, constantly interacting with the audience and feeding off the crowd’s energy.
As they ripped through “Mr. Clean” and “Kemp,” the audience only seemed to grow more energetic. By the time they closed with “No Cigar,” the room was ecstatic. The floor was shaking, the voices were hoarse, and the smiles were wide. This tour was everything a punk rock fan could have asked for—nostalgic, high-energy, and an all-around epic night. Until next time, Millencolin and Pennywise—thanks for keeping punk rock alive!
Review and photos by Adam Davis-Powell.
