Live Review: James Marriott @ Hindley Street Music Hall 12/10/26

I can't think of a better way to spend a Monday night than being at Hindley Street Music Hall, surrounded by hundreds of fans singing their hearts out. Making his long-awaited Adelaide debut, James Marriott left me with barely any voice, ringing ears and very sore feet after a night of dancing, jumping and singing along to every song.

Best known for his YouTube content (as well as his music), Marriott returned to Australian shores to tour his latest album, Don’t Tell The Dog. As someone who has followed Marriott for quite some time, first discovering him through his YouTube videos and being there when his second single dropped, this show felt extra special. After experiencing serious FOMO the last couple of times he toured Australia, I couldn't have been more excited to finally see him live.

Arriving roughly an hour before doors opened, I was met with a queue that already stretched from the entrance of the Hindley Street Music Hall all the way towards the TAFE campus. The excitement was impossible to miss, with fans turning up dressed in disco-inspired outfits to celebrate his latest single, 'Burn Down the Disco', while others embraced the iconic green and red colours of his YouTube segment, Good Bin, Bad Bin. It was so much fun seeing fans bring these little pieces of Marriott's online world into the real world, creating a shared sense of community before the show had even begun.

As everyone piled into the venue, the room quickly filled wall to wall with eager fans and buzzing energy. There was a real sense of anticipation in the air, with everyone ready to finally experience James Marriott live in Adelaide.

While waiting for the show to begin, the pre-show playlist was a rollercoaster in the best possible way. Jumping from the emotional Billie Eilish's 'Happier Than Ever' to the theatrical powerhouse that is 'Defying Gravity' from Wicked, before throwing it back to The Killers' 'Somebody Told Me' – there was absolutely no predicting what would come next. The playlist kept everyone entertained, with each song bringing a completely different energy to the room.

Kicking off the night was the incredible Spici Water, a four-piece band from Perth who brought a refreshing dose of classic Aussie rock to the stage. Their sound was the perfect way to warm up the crowd, and their laid-back humour made them instantly likeable. Introducing their songs with descriptions as simple as "forgetting how to ride a bike" and "waiting for the bus", they had the audience laughing while delivering a set that was full of character. They were a brilliant opening act, setting the tone for the night and getting everyone ready for what was to come.

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When Marriott finally stepped onto the stage, the excitement radiating from the crowd was unreal. The venue erupted as he launched into 'Ventriloquist', with fans immediately screaming the lyrics back at him. From the opening notes, it was clear that this wasn't going to be a crowd that simply stood around and watched. Everyone was completely immersed in the music, singing, dancing, jumping and making the most of every second.

There was something so energising about being in a room full of people who were all equally excited to be there and were all getting into the music. Looking around, it was impossible not to smile at the sea of fans singing their hearts out, completely unapologetic about having fun.

Throughout the night, Marriott mentioned several times that it was his first time visiting Adelaide, sharing some of his experiences exploring the city. One particular highlight was his visit to the iconic Malls Balls, which he apparently loved so much that he made them his phone lock screen. In true Marriott humour, he dedicated 'It’s Only Love' to our beloved local landmark.

Another cool moment of the night was getting to hear Marriott perform his brand-new single 'Lovestruck' ahead of its official release this Friday. He even pointed out that, thanks to time zones, Australian fans get to hear the track earlier than some other parts of the world. There's something special about hearing a song live before its official release. Now, all that’s left is to stream it on repeat.

Hearing fan favourites like 'Grapes' and 'Car Lights' live was an absolute dream. There is something momentous about hearing songs you have listened to countless times through your headphones come to life in a packed venue, surrounded by people who know every word just as well as you do.

Overall, James Marriott's Adelaide debut was everything I could have hoped for and more. Seeing an artist I've followed for years finally perform live, surrounded by hundreds of people who shared that same excitement, made the experience even more memorable. James brought an incredible energy to the stage, effortlessly balancing his music with the humour and personality that made so many of us fans in the first place.

If his first Adelaide show is anything to go by, I can only hope it won't be his last.

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