Live music review: Aussies Tropical Fuck Storm sold-out 29th Street Ballroom
Melbourne’s Tropical Fuck Storm soared into Austin for a sold-out gig at the under-new-management 29th St. Ballroom in the University of Texas Campus area a week ago Sunday night (June 29), a fitting conclusion to an action-packed concert weekend in the live music capital. The release of their latest LP, Fairyland Codex, has garnered an extensive array of praise from critics, some calling it their best to date, and has spawned a planned worldwide tour for the Aussies to promote yet another entry in the ever-growing discography. For a Sunday night in the city’s West Campus area, this one showcased another ripper to behold in the Central Texas city of music.
Since Tropical Fuck Storm’s last appearance came as an opening slot for Australian psych-jam overlords King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard in 2022, Sunday evening’s headlining set came with a handful of new LPs since their previous Austin tour stop. Not only this, but the 2025 tour has also marked their first headlining Texas show since 2019, a welcome development for fans of a group that has maintained a steady work ethic with a consistent stream of full-length releases since their inception.
A wide range of indie rock freaks made their way to the UT area to experience the worldwide touring act, most of whom donned band t-shirts and discussed fandom in the expected realm of Osees, King Gizzard, Frankie And The Witch Fingers, and Psychedelic Porn Crumpets. Tropical Fuck Storm doesn’t typically fall high on the totem pole of the vibrant Australia psych rock scene, but their reputation as a “Sleeper hit” in their respective niche proves to be well-deserved.
When the quartet took the stage, one of the first comments made was how the outdoors in the Texas summer are “Too hot.” Fair enough.
Despite having a wide-ranging spread of releases, a steamlined route was primarily taken from their latest release and 2018’s A Laughing Death in Meatspace. Singer and guitarist Gareth Liddiard possesses a commanding crowd presence, bringing his noise-rock-oriented vocal delivery and co-guitarist Erica Dunn’s and bassist Fiona Kitschin’s backing vocal prowess to the forefront.
Aside from a couple of earlier record cuts sprinkled into the setlist, a highlight came with a remunerative cover of Stooges entry “Ann,” a solid divider of the all-gas-no-brakes nature of the weekend-ending gig. Instead of departing the stage and returning for an encore, the Melbourne players opted to slash through another offering before bidding farewell to the Austin attendees after a 12-song onslaught. Like most small room Sunday night gigs, this one wrapped right as the night hit dusk, seeing attendees drift off into the night until next time.
Tropical Fuck Storm continues down the road in the United States before heading to Europe later this Summer. Tickets can be found via the band’s social media.
All photos by Troy Gonzales
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