LIVE REVIEW: SOMBR CHARMS A SOLD-OUT CROWD IN SYDNEY

Image: Bryce Glenn.

After a breakout year, rising singer-songwriter sombr has built a reputation for heartfelt lyricism, genre-bending instincts and an unmistakable vintage aesthetic that sets him apart from his contemporaries. Last night, he made his Sydney debut, performing to a sold-out crowd for the first of two shows at the Hordern Pavilion.

From the moment he stepped onstage, sombr delivered a performance charged with movement and magnetism. He roamed every inch of the stage, bounding from one side to the other with infectious energy, all while maintaining impressively crisp and emotive live vocals. In no easy feat, he held the crowd with the ease of a seasoned performer; each jump, gesture and vocal run pulling the audience deeper into his orbit.

The setlist itself had a carefully crafted ebb and flow, seamlessly weaving together pop sparkle, indie warmth and rock-leaning grit. Fan favourites like i wish i knew how to quit you, caroline, back to friends, 12 to 12, and, of course, undressed- introduced with the humorously self-aware aside, “I have a question for you… what is my question… oh Undressed is in the wrong place in the setlist; undressed is supposed to be…” - sent the room into full-voiced sing-along mode. His turns on piano, particularly during “i wish i knew how to quit you and come closer, were highlights: energetic, expressive and performed with an intensity that made the songs feel newly electrified.

Equally integral to the night was his band - Sal Suriano, Jon Carmen Ezzo, Mitch Prewitt, Sam Everett and Nickname Jos - whose musicianship was nothing short of expert. They played with the tightness of a unit that has spent years refining their sound together, yet with the looseness and joy of friends sharing a stage. Every transition, build and drop felt intentional, collectively driven by musicians who were clearly having the time of their lives. Their camaraderie radiated outward, giving the performance an added layer of warmth.

The stage production complemented the music beautifully. The set design leaned heavily into retro, 60s-inspired textures with soft oranges, deep reds and a homely, vintage glow that made the venue feel both nostalgic and intimate. The lighting was remarkably dynamic, shifting tone and rhythm to match each beat, each swell, each emotional turn. It wasn’t flashy for the sake of spectacle; it was purposeful, enhancing the emotional tone of every track.

Though sombr didn’t speak extensively between songs, whenever he did, it landed with sincerity. He expressed genuine gratitude, not just for the sold-out crowd’s presence, but for their support throughout his career. “Very far from home, but you guys make me feel at home,” he told the audience.

sombr’s first Sydney concert felt like a beginning, an early chapter in what already resembles a long, promising story. He stands at the intersection of retro inspiration and contemporary emotional clarity, pairing timeless musical sensibilities with modern reflections on love and longing. If this show is any indication, sombr isn’t just rising; he’s carving out a space for himself, and Sydney was lucky enough to witness the start of something special.

I Barely Know Her is out now.