LIVE: Good Charlotte, Yellowcard, Kisschasey & Parker – Perth, 17 Feb 2026

LIVE: Good Charlotte, Yellowcard, Kisschasey & Parker – Perth, 17 Feb 2026
RAC Arena, Perth, Western Australia
By Melanie Scrafton

Good Charlotte return to Perth for the first time in 8 years, to kick off their national tour supported by Parker, Kisschassy and Yellowcard. Over a quarter of a century into their career, Good Charlotte are still standing strong in a genre that does not always treat its early pioneers kindly. When the Motel Du Cap World Tour was announced, it felt like a return to the height of the Vans Warped Tour era. But inside RAC Arena, it quickly became clear this was not a band relying on nostalgia. They were sharp, focused and fully in control.

Twenty six years after their self titled debut and now seven albums into their career, Good Charlotte have stayed true to who they are. Even their time on The Voice Australia has not softened their sound. Joel and Benji Madden still perform with the same energy and conviction that defined their early success.

The Perth crowd reflected that longevity. Millennials who grew up on pop punk stood alongside younger fans discovering it for the first time. There were even families sharing the experience together. While the audience lacked visible diversity, the atmosphere was electric from the start.

Melbourne’s Kisschasy opened the night with confidence. Promoting their first album in more than a decade, they leaned fully into nostalgia. Darren Cordeux’s oversized look felt straight out of the mid 2000s, matching a set that was energetic, slightly rough around the edges and heartfelt. His joke about touring with Good Charlotte in 2007 and the crowd now looking too young to remember it landed warmly.

Yellowcard followed with immediate impact, launching into “Way Away.” The stage screens lit up with bold, high contrast graphics that echoed early MTV. Fast moving visuals, strong typography and powerful lighting heightened every chorus. “Lights and Sounds” and “Empty Apartment” felt just as strong as they did in the early 2000s, if not stronger. Frontman Ryan Key repeatedly thanked the crowd, noting it was the biggest Australian show of their career. New songs from Better Days blended seamlessly with fan favourites. Drummer Jimmy Brunkvist delivered a standout performance, driving the set with force and precision.

When Good Charlotte took the stage, the scale of the production lifted again. Layered lighting rigs and large LED screens created a dramatic backdrop. They opened with “The River,” accompanied by storm inspired visuals and striking monochrome effects that matched the intensity of the song. Vocally, Joel and Benji were tight and balanced, sounding remarkably close to their recorded versions while still keeping the raw edge. Any idea that pop punk lacks discipline disappeared quickly.

“I Don’t Wanna Be in Love” transformed the arena into a neon soaked dance floor. “Last Night” featured fast paced visuals and flashing lyrics that added to its urgency. “Girls and Boys” came alive with bold colours and playful graphics, while “The Chronicles of Life and Death” shifted into darker, more dramatic imagery that gave the song extra weight. Each track had its own distinct visual identity, enhancing the performance without overwhelming it.
Newer songs from Motel Du Cap were given equal attention. They did not feel like add ons but like essential parts of the set. Rather than distancing themselves from their early 2000s roots, Good Charlotte embraced them while showing how much they have grown. Their core identity remains unchanged. The difference now is the level of polish.

Throughout the night, humility stood out. The Madden brothers spoke openly about how long they have been doing this and seemed genuinely moved by how many first time fans were in the crowd. Benji acknowledged that the audience changed their lives. Joel reminded everyone that their success was shared. Even a playful request for a rating felt sincere.

There was no irony or detachment from their past. Instead, there was excitement about the present. When they returned for an encore of “The Anthem,” the entire arena rose together. As bold graphics flashed across the screens, the moment felt communal rather than nostalgic.

For a band so closely tied to a specific era, Good Charlotte have achieved something rare. They have grown without losing who they are. In Perth, they did not rely on memory alone. The songs still hit hard. The visuals elevated the experience. The energy was real. More than two decades later, they have not changed in the ways that matter, and the crowd’s reaction proved it.

Set List –
The River
Dance Floor Anthem
Last Night
Girls & Boys
The Chronicles of Life and Death
The Motivation Proclamation
Like It’s Her Birthday
Wondering Bodies
Mean
Actual Pain
We Are Done (The Madden Brothers cover)
Misery Keep Your Hands Off My Girl
Predictable
We Believe
Hold On
Rejects
The Young and the Hopeless
Little Things
I Just Wanna Live
Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous

The Anthem

Remaining Dates-
Thu 19 Feb 2026 – Brisbane Entertainment Centre (Brisbane / Meanjin, QLD)
Sat 21 Feb 2026 – Bendigo Racecourse (Bendigo, VIC)
Wed 25 Feb 2026 – Qudos Bank Arena (Sydney / Eora, NSW)

 

Category: Live Reviews