Live Review: DICE @ The Gov 08/08/26

DICE w/Mid Drift & The Hazys @ The Gov 08/08/26

Known for their sun-soaked sound, Perth indie-rock outfit DICE have quickly become one of Australia’s most exciting rising acts. The four-piece, consisting of Ben Hodge (vocals and guitar), Tom King (lead guitar), Regan Beazley (Bass), and Sam Barrett-Lennard (drums), recently released their sophomore album, I Thought The Altitude Would Make It Worth The View. The album had reached the number one spot on the ARIA charts, which the band found out just before boarding their flight to Adelaide. Riding that high, DICE stepped into The Gov for the first night of their 20-stop national tour. 

Dark grey clouds loomed over the building, threatening to spill over at any second, as excited fans waited for the doors to open at 7pm. Inside, the atmosphere was warm and electric, the room filling quickly as the hum of pre-show chatter grew loud. Adelaide locals The Hazys opened the night, delivering a tight, energetic set that immediately pulled the crowd in. Playing a short selection of their discography, including 'Not Perfect' and 'Olive', their set peaked with a cover of Hall & Oates' 'Rich Girl', which had the early crowd singing along. As they wrapped up, the clouds finally gave in, causing rain to fall steadily outside. In the break between acts, fans either huddled under umbrellas in the courtyard or stayed inside to claim their spots near the stage. 

Next up was Midrift, a four-piece indie-surf band from Queensland whose beachy, laid-back sound pulled the crowd into that easy coastal groove they’ve made their signature. Highlights included 'Open Hand', 'Washed Out' and fan favourite 'Nicotine'. After Midrift wrapped up their set, Aerosmith's 'I Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing' began to blast through the speakers, causing voices to rise in harmony as the crowd sang along. This loud, messy chorus made it clear that The Gov was ready for the main event. By the time DICE stepped onstage, the venue was packed from wall-to-wall. Opening with 'Call Me For A Good Time', frontman Ben Hodge yelled “Adelaide!” before the final chorus. They rolled straight into 'Loose Change', then 'Double Espresso', with the crowd clapping ecstatically through the latter's explosive bridge. 

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Finally, the band took a pause to address the crowd, as Hodge leant into the mic to say, "Thank you for coming along and being a part of the first show on this campaign." Moments later, he added, "Thanks to all you beautiful motherfuckers, we got a number one album, baby!" The room erupted, and the energy only climbed from there. The set continued with 2025 single 'Chasing Hearts', then 'Stars', where the audience pulled out their phone flashlights, replicating the night sky. They picked the pace back up with 'Midnight Zoo', fan favourite 'Quick To Judge' and 2023 single 'Stockholm'. 

DICE’s new album - sharp and rhythm-driven - felt evolved, reflecting their growth two years on from their 2024 debut album Midnight Zoo. Where previous works leaned into an indie and youthful sound, DICE shows a band tightening their production, leaning confidently into a more refined direction. Still, some long-time fans were disappointed that older hits like 'Sunrise' and 'This Is Not a Love Song' didn’t make the cut. Noticeably, the band also missed the opportunity to play their much-loved Like A Version of Gloria Gaynor's 'I Will Survive'. 

Most of the audience seemed to know every lyric, shouting them back with zero hesitation, which only made the set more explosive. These committed fans came ready to give the band everything they had. At one point, a guy randomly started crowd-surfing, lifted up by everyone around him. Onstage, everything felt bigger, bringing an entirely new level of energy to each song. Every time the band launched into a chorus, the crowd reacted instantly and enthusiastically. Despite the charged atmosphere, DICE kept crowd interaction to a minimum. Aside from a few quick quips introducing their most beloved tracks, they barely spoke, choosing a relentless momentum of song after song. 

The opening synth of lead single 'Cooler' drifted through The Gov before the band rejoined the stage, sending a final wave of excitement through the crowd. With a number one album and a more assured sound behind them, DICE kept the audience’s momentum through a breathless set. Even through the persistent rain, the crowd was dedicated to singing along and giving all their energy. This tour sees DICE firmly stepping into a new era, with a fanbase more than ready to follow them wherever they go. 

Want more pics of the gig? Check out our full photo gallery here.