Words by Lexie Freestone
Photography supplied by PR
A full Brisbane Entertainment Centre welcomed Dave with an atmosphere of anticipation long before the lights dimmed. As warm amber tones filled the arena, with lights outlining a diamond-shaped stage, a curtain dropped to reveal the British rapper standing at the centre of his 4 piece band. The crowd erupted at the opening lyric of History, setting the tone for a night that balanced spectacle, musicianship, and genuine connection.
Throughout the performance, lighting played a crucial role in shaping the mood of each song. During No Weapons, the audience’s voices became part of the performance, singing along through the softer moments, while on Verdansk (Survival Mode), shooting pyrotechnics traced the outline of the stage, creating one of the night’s earliest visual highlights, taking the energy inside the arena to another level. Verdansk had creative comic-book-inspired visuals paired with deep blue lighting, and the crowd bounced along to every word. Colour-changing lighting transitions seamlessly followed the shifts between verses and bridges before the track culminated in a burst of fireworks.
Dave commanded the arena with an effortless confidence, strutting across the stage with the swagger only a London boy could possess. Yet the night’s most captivating moments came when the production scaled back, allowing his musicianship to take centre stage. Midway through the set, a grand piano rose from the centre of the stage amongst the band. Smoke drifted across the platform, creating a dreamlike haze as Dave delivered the first half of Both Sides of a Smile. During the song’s instrumental break, he took a seat at the piano and was lifted even higher above the band, purple lasers stretched from within the piano, out across the audience as Dave moved into the second half of the song. The atmosphere shifted dramatically, becoming more sombre and reflective. Dave‘s technical ability on the piano was on full display, while an impressive electric guitar solo provided another standout musical moment.
The mood shifted instantly as the opening keys of Screwface Capital rang out. Seats emptied as fans leapt to their feet for its duration, screaming the closing lyrics back at Dave with remarkable intensity. One of the loudest reactions of the evening came after a video message instructed the crowd to “take it back 10 years”. The arena was set into darkness before thousands of voices united in a chant of “Oh Thiago Silva”. The band joined us by playing the opening riff of The White Stripes’ iconic Seven Nation Army, which blended perfectly with our demand.
Dave reappeared to deafening cheers and reminded the audience that this was his first headline show in Australia and he can do what he likes!
“Do you want it?” he asked. The answer was obvious. Launching straight into Thiago Silva, Dave delivered one of the night’s strongest rap performances, showcasing the technical precision and breath control that has made him one of the UK’s most respected rappers, a true artist in his genre. The transitions between songs remained a production highlight, with vibrant colours and dynamic visuals guiding the crowd into Funky Friday. Every lyric seemed to be rapped back at the stage as loudly as Dave himself.
Between songs, Dave took time to reflect on his relationship with Australian fans. “Australia is a long way away, but there is no distance, no sea, no land, that can keep me from you guys,” he told the audience. He recalled his previous visit in 2019 and expressed a desire to make up for the albums that never received their tours due to the pandemic; “I want to share as much as possible tonight.” That sentiment was evident throughout the set.
A freestyle DJ-style section flowed into a crowd-pleasing rendition of Titanium before launching back into a run of high-energy tracks. Later, Dave sat atop a raised platform with guitar and microphone for Selfish, once again demonstrating his versatility, proving he isn’t just a rapper, but a true musician. A dreamlike visual appearance from James Blake accompanied the performance, creating one of the evening’s most emotional moments. As the song concluded, Dave pushed the microphone away, wiped the sweat from his brow, and was met with thunderous applause. Looking visibly moved, he transitioned into a guitar solo that drew another huge response.
The emotions continued as Dave moved to stand under a single spotlight at the peak of the diamond stage to perform The Boy Who Played the Harp. Stripped of the night’s larger production moments, the crowd went quiet, and the song’s emotional weight was impossible to ignore. As the final sentence came to an end, the crowd applauded. Dave thanked us for listening to the important messages the song carries.
As the show approached its finale, Dave expressed gratitude for the opportunity to finally headline in Australia before launching into the hit Sprinter, video of collaborating artist Central Cee played along on the big screens so we had the full experience of this song. The arena erupted once more as 5’9, Brown Eyes echoed around the venue, followed by an explosion of confetti that drifted from the floor all the way into some seated sections.
Standing amid the falling confetti, Dave stared out across the crowd, shaking his head in apparent disbelief at what he had just performed. It was a fitting image for a night years in the making. As the final moments of the closing song Starlight, were sung out, there was one last message… “I love you.”
After 90 minutes of music, reflection, and celebration, Brisbane made it clear the feeling was mutual.
FOLLOW DAVE
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With thanks to Revolutions Per Minute + Live Nation Australia
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