LIVE: Hands Like Houses & Dream On Dreamer – Lotus Tour – Perth | Boorloo, 26 April 2026

LIVE: Hands Like Houses & Dream On Dreamer – Lotus Tour – Perth | Boorloo, 26 April 2026
With Kastiell + Patient 67 – Magnet House, Perth, Western Australia  
Reviewed by Melanie Scrafton & Ayla Simpson
Photography by Luke Baker

BEFORE THE SHOW HANDS LIKE HOUSES’ JOEL TYRRELL TOOK TIME OUT TO ANSWER A FEW QUESTIONS – CLICK HERE

The crowd came out early to support local openers Kastiell & Patient 67, queuing along Murray Street before the doors opened. Kastiell is fronted by former September Sun vocalist Peter Knott and they set an energetic tone, incorporating playful crowd engagement including beach balls across the floor, helping ease the audience into the night.

Patient 67 set a heavier shift in tone, delivering a modern take on metalcore anchored by an impressive vocal display. Vocalist Tom Kiely demonstrated dynamic range, moving between gritty, textured cleans and guttural growls with ease. Tracks such as “Catch 22” stood out for their heavy bass presence and rap-infused breakdowns. Audience enthusiasm and merch support were notably strong for an early set.

Dream On Dreamer originally announced their breakup in 2022, but has since returned for reunion and anniversary shows, meaning their 2026 performances lean heavily into nostalgia. Touring alongside Hands Like Houses created a lineup that fans see as both high-energy and sentimentally driven.

On stage, they come across as tight, energised, and genuinely enjoying the chance to reconnect with their audience. Marcel Gadaacz (unclean vocals) and Zac Britt (clean vocals) work flawlessly together. Crowd engagement is a major part of the experience, especially up front, where interaction feels constant. Their set typically starts with a more relaxed vibe before ramping into intense crowd movement, with moshing taking over. It all builds toward a big, emotional singalong finish featuring one of their most recognisable songs.

The audience leaned noticeably younger than expected for Hands Like Houses, but any doubts about engagement disappeared quickly, and they were locked in from the first song to the last, reacting just as strongly to newer material as they did to older favourites. It gave the night a fresh, high-energy atmosphere that suited the band’s current direction. After 18 years together, Hands Like Houses have naturally evolved their sound, and that progression comes through clearly on stage.

Despite only joining three years ago, lead singer Josh Raven carries himself like a long-time member: he is confident, composed, and completely at ease in front of a crowd. He commands attention without forcing it, striking that balance between strong vocals and genuine connection.

Beyond the performance itself, Josh also took time to address crowd safety, encouraging people to look out for one another in the pit, which added a sense of care and awareness to the show. He also used the platform to speak about the band’s concerns around suicide in Australia, giving the night a moment of real weight and purpose that resonated with the audience.

Live, the band feel revitalised, back in form and pushing into a heavier, more experimental space that’s clearly working. The set doesn’t just cater to long-time fans; it actively pulls in newer listeners, with a sound that feels both familiar and refreshed. A standout moment came during “Warning Signs”, when Marcel and Zac from Dream On Dreamer joined them on stage, lifting the track into something bigger and more dynamic.

Meanwhile, heavier cuts like “ICU” and “I Am” inject a surge of intensity, driving the set into its most explosive moments. If anything, the performance suggests they’re only just scratching the surface of how far they can take this heavier direction going forward. The band closed with strong gratitude toward the audience and a special acknowledgment of long-time sound engineer Jimmy, reinforcing the sense of continuity and community behind the production.

Overall, the night delivered a cohesive progression, marked by strong crowd engagement, effective pacing, and a consistently responsive audience.

Setlist: Hands Like Houses

Lótus
Love & Affection
Perspectives
ICU
Drum solo
Flowers
Hollow
Wicked Game (Chris Isaak cover)
Through Glass
Space
Warning Signs (With Dream on Dreamer)
DEAD
Paradise
Colourblind
The Water
I Am

Setlist: Dream On Dreamer

Let It In
Surrender
Love
Don’t Lose Your Heart
All My Life
(From new album ‘Heavens’ releasing soon)
Hear Me Out
Feel so Empty
Stay
Runaway

 

Category: Live Reviews, Photo Galleries