MELROSE AVENUE TAKES PHILADELPHIA DOWN UNDER
UNDERGROUND ARTS — PHILADELPHIA, PA
Australian pop-metal band Melrose Avenue shook the City of Brotherly Love to its core during their electric performance at Underground Arts here in Philadelphia. It was one of the band's first performances ever in America, headlining their 2026 USA TOUR with a stop right here in Pennsylvania. Formed back in 2021 in Sydney, Australia, Melrose Avenue has quickly gained notoriety, now boasting an audience spanning 60 countries. Signing with LA-based punk rock label Hopeless Records in 2024, the group released their debut EP Fool and The Beggar, with the title track reaching millions of streams globally. If you haven’t heard of their songs, you’ve more than likely come across their viral content on social media, which has helped catapult them to the top.
Stray View, a metal band from Dallas, TX, kicked the night off with a hard-hitting set that immediately amplified the crowd’s energy. The venue quickly filled with fans ready for a night of heavy music, and they certainly did not disappoint with their most popular song "Vanity". Following them on the bill was the band Autumn Kings from Detroit, MI. They further energized the crowd with their insane vocals and tremendous breakdowns, including the performance of their newest single "GONE, GONE, GONE". The crowd responded with fluid movements that set the tone for the rest of the evening. As the lights dimmed before Melrose took the stage, the glow of cell phones ready to capture every moment illuminated the venue, and their entrance was quickly met with screaming fans reaching out towards the stage.
Throughout the set, frontman Vlado Saric masterfully worked the audience, fully leaning into the crowd. The band’s chemistry together is a truly unique blend, having the ability to shift seamlessly from blistering riffs to melodic choruses. They started off their set with the song "Taste", followed by "Inside Your Mind"from their new album Bad Guy, which had the entire room singing along from start to finish. The breakdowns were heavy, but never at the expense of the band’s massive hooks, and the sound mix in Underground Arts brought out every layer of their music to life.
Towards the end of the night, things slowed down with a powerful cover of Bring Me The Horizon's "Drown" off of their 2015 album That's the Spirit. The crowd responded immediately by illuminating the room with phone lights, creating a moment of pure bliss as Vlado poured his heart into the solo performance. The band elevated the room back by performing "Reflections" to close out the show. This live performance proved why they are quickly becoming one of the most exciting acts in modern metal, and I highly recommend catching them while they are still touring in the United States.
