Review: JD Garrahy

It’s Saturday in Jakarta. Hammersonic has kicked into full swing, and the grounds are steadily filling up. With a stacked lineup catering to metalcore, pop punk, and everything in between, it’s a festival for all ages and tastes. This review, however, is to draw focus to two bands in particular. And you, my avid reader, have me on your very own personalised reconnaissance mission to show you exactly why you cannot miss the upcoming Of Mice & Men and Crystal Lake tour that will hit our shores next week.

The sun is beginning to set, and Crystal Lake is about to take the stage. With heat and humidity like this, you would think someone left the heater on during a Queensland summer day. Brutal. What adds to this intensity is the opening riff of “Everblack”, and I had no influence in this. From the moment that opening sounds, the crowd surges, and it’s not long before the first circle pit emerges in the centre of the crowd. It’s high energy from the very first note, right through to the reverb as the final note lingers. But worry not, my friends, I’m not breaking here.

The setlist touches on tracks from their most recent album, The Weight of Silence, while still harking back to the brilliance of their back catalogue. We are missing the addition of PK on this show, but with guest vocalist Kento at the helm, there is no need for concern. All the skill required to execute the crippling growls, right through to the melodic choruses, makes this a very rare performance.

While much of the attention lies with the command of the enigmatic vocalist, you cannot deny the sheer talent and ferocity displayed by the rest of the band. With YD and TJ absolutely shredding through the riffs with ease and working up a hell of a sweat, Mitsuru and Gaku keep the rhythm section tight yet intense. There is no stopping Crystal Lake on this stage.

By the end of the set, every single person in the pit is soaked from head to toe, but the memories forged and the energy spent are worth every second in the blistering Jakarta sun. When these guys hit the stage in Australia next week, bring your damn A game, because they will exceed every expectation you have. Safe travels, boys, see you in Oz.

Of Mice & Men are a band that have only recently become a constant addition to my playlists. But today, I’m getting to witness the level of professionalism and talent that has made them one of the greatest live bands to dominate the scene in recent years. With a 50 minute set to cram in as much brilliance as possible, they waste no time in giving the crowd exactly what they want. And my lord, as they open with “Another Miracle”, the title track of their latest album, the crowd knows their money has been more than well spent.

As frontman Aaron Pauley paces the stage and throws his body around, the display of pure, unbridled energy in a live setting is undeniable. With the new album firmly cemented in this timeline, it wouldn’t be fair to leave out the beauty of some of their previous releases. Touching on everything from The Flood to Restoring Force, there isn’t a moment of this set that is wasted on the crowd. With every bit of energy the band puts into their show, the crowd gives it back tenfold, leaving them begging for more.

Rounding out their set with “Bones Exposed” and “Second & Sebring”, they deliver a festival performance like no other. With only a 50 minute set to fill, it’s going to be incredible to see what they bring to our venues. There is no rest for Of Mice & Men, and in all honesty, I don’t think they’ll want it. What they brought here today was a show for the ages, a mix of intensity and emotion that left the crowd begging for more. If you haven’t secured a ticket yet, do it. There won’t be a shred of regret, I guarantee it.

With these two heavyweights hitting our shores, it’s time to step up and support the scene. Performances like this don’t come around as often as you might think, and the memories you take from these shows will stay with you in your mind, heart, and soul forevermore.

OF MICE & MEN + CRYSTAL LAKE May 2026 Australian Tour Dates
Tuesday 5th May – PERTH, Magnet House
Thursday 7th May – ADELAIDE, Lion Arts Factory
Friday 8th May – MELBOURNE, 170 Russell
Saturday 9th May – SYDNEY, Manning Bar
Sunday 10th May – BRISBANE, The Triffid

 – GALLERY –