I always enjoy an album tour, I feel like it’s something to keep a band on their toes when they have to go back and play an album in full that’s 25 years old. So I always appreciate it when they take the time to relearn a lot of these songs and play them in order for us. That band tonight is Travis and they’ll be playing ‘The Man Who’ from start to finish, and hopefully not three minutes of silence before the hidden track, guess we’ll see.
Here we go. Intro music plays as the band take the stage to well deserved cheers as it’s been quite some time since Travis have been in Sydney. As Fran counts them in the album and show opener begins. ‘Writing to Reach You’ is perfect and hearing this live for the first time for me is a treat. What I love about live music is the fact that an album is taken to the next level when performed as there’s just that something extra and it’s truly here tonight. Fran addresses the crowd as the PowerPoint presentation begins. This is hilarious as he proceeds to tell a story about the opener and the first of many to come. Playing “in front” of The Horse Shoe they take us into ‘The Fear’ followed by ‘As You Are’ which takes on a different meaning when you know the story behind it. The sound has hit the right levels and the band sound amazing. Kudos to the sound guy for this. ‘Driftwood’ gets a cheer as the title hits the presentation screen and again these stories are so good, you really need to experience this. This song is a standout. Discussing ‘The Last Laugh of the Laughter’ as they play it through and with that outstanding bass line. Talking about the writing of ‘Turn’ which is clearly another big fan fave as phones all around are hoisted to capture it. It’s easily the rockiest song of the night so far and I’m here for this. What a song. OK now it’s time for the one we all know ‘Why Does It Always Rain On Me?’, as they tell the story behind it and how it almost wasn’t what it was, it’s still a banger to this day and tonight it was that extra special banger and listening to everyone sing along is pretty great too. That sounded great and they’re so happy and appreciative to be here. ‘Luv’ gets the harmonica out as this heartbreaker does its thing. ‘She’s So Strange’ and its perfect video set up the tune and they make it sound even better 25 years on. A slide show within a slide show and accompanied by some great old pictures it really helps the song ‘Slide’ along. Then we did not have to listen to 3 mins of silence before the “secret track” ‘Blue Flashing Light’ rounds out the album and this part of the set. What a set and truly what a great album that is.
After a very quick break, they’re back and opening this set with ‘Bus’ from LA Times their latest release, and this new one fits in perfectly with their sound and this one is rockin’. The human metronomes are severely out of time but thankfully ‘Love Will Come Through’ was in time and this is another really good song and great choice for the set. ‘Good Feeling’ now officially has everyone standing up and keeps things going. ‘Side’ is a groove and the tunes just keep getting better as that was definitely a highlight. ‘Closer’ brings everyone together and what a melody that is, and the band are on it, they sound so good. ‘Selfish Jean’ keeps the vibes up and what a bop. These songs in this set have completely elevated things and as ‘Gaslight’ keeps things moving this one is just as great, I can’t fault this as Fran makes his way through the crowd for a bit making it back to finish the song. ‘Flowers in the Window’ has Fran on acoustic while the band back him to sing along. Now for a very unexpected cover but I’m here for it, it’s an acoustic rendition of ‘… Baby One More Time’, yes that song and I’ll allow it. That was different, and it was great as Fran and Dougie play it out.
Closing the set after a promise of returning soon they give us ‘Sing’ and that we did. With that the show is done. That was worth the wait, to finally see Travis back in Australia was a treat and I know I’ll be back the next time they are. That was entertaining as all get up. Just what you want a live show to be.
Essential Information
Venue: Darling Harbour Theatre
Date: January 14, 2026
Presented by: Live Nation Australia
Set list:
Writing to Reach You
The Fear
As You Are
Driftwood
The Last Laugh of the Laughter
Turn
Why Does It Always Rain on Me?
Luv
She’s So Strange
Slide Show
Blue Flashing Light
Bus
Love Will Come Through
Good Feeling
Side
Closer
Selfish Jean
Gaslight
Flowers in the Window
… Baby One More Time
Sing
