Live Review: Anberlin, The Getaway Plan

Following last night’s sold-out show at Forum Theatre, Melbourne Anberlin fans are lucky enough to score a second, and final, opportunity to fare them well tonight.

Local alternative rockers The Getaway Plan help send them off right from the get-go, charging forward and exhibiting their dynamic style with Flying Colours. Proud to support Anberlin on The Final Tour, The Getaway Plan dedicate an older track, Sleep Spindles, to their fellow rockers. The band shows a great range of diversity with light and shade. Frontman Matthew Wright’s emotionally charged mix of high, low and sometimes screamo vocals perfectly combine with trilling guitar riffs and haunting piano melodies on The Reckoning.

Roaring applause welcomes the American rock group Anberlin to a Melbourne stage for the very last time. Lead singer Stephen Christian yells out, “Let’s party like its 2005!” as the moshpit ignites, bodies thrashing about excitedly. The band announced they were breaking up earlier this year and this ninth and final show in Australia is unfortunately their swansong in this country. It’s a special night for fans. The band gives an exclusive, world-first live performance playing their beloved second studio album Never Take Friendship Personal in its entirety. Never before have they played the record from start to finish live.

After having a blast playing some songs they haven’t revisited in a while, Anberlin continue with a few more career hits and favourites from their back catalogue such as the lively A Day Late. (The Symphony of) Blasé contains relevant, emotional lyrics: “This is our last goodnight” – the audience using the final chorus sing-along as heartfelt goodbye. After constant, pleading requests from the audience, Anberlin add clear crowd favourite Adelaide to the set. Reminiscing about the band’s first visit to Melbourne, when they were called back for a five-song encore at a tiny venue, they recall it was a humble experience that they will never forget. After a two-hour-long set, it is time for one last song despite the crowd repeatedly chanting for “six more songs” this last time around.

Fittingly, they choose to close with (*Fin) from their 2007 album Cities. The powerful, emotional ballad is a great note for the band to end on. As they hold up a banner that reads “ANBERLIN FOREVER”, the band take their final bow with arms linked.