Gang of Youths
Sydney Opera House
8 August 2026
I’m sure he would hate this comparison but David Le’aupepe reminds me a bit of a preacher standing in front of a congregation. I think he learned a trick or two growing up as part of the Hillsong community (which he now calls a cult).
I know that it’s a cliché to say that he had the audience in the palm of his hand, but it’s safe to say that we were all in his thrall from the moment he set foot on stage. He has charisma to burn. He is passionate. He is engaging and he has amazing songs.
Admittedly, instead of proselytising about bible verses, he sings about the human condition. Heartbreak. Depression. Anxiety. Grief. Love. Joy. And eventually recovery. Not a million miles from the scriptures now I think about it.
Playing their first shows in 3 years in the relatively intimate setting of the Sydney Opera House, you can tell that this concert means a lot to the band. There’s something about this iconic venue that is special, but I imagine that it’s even more so when growing up you could see the venue from his aunt’s house (admittedly you had to stand on top of his aunt’s washing machine to do so).
Dave L made a point saying that they were playing a set they wanted to play. It wasn’t full on rockers from start to finish. He started the show slowly, playing Hand of God, an album track from their previous album. Their most popular song (Magnolia) was performed solo, stripping it of the band arrangement, but none of its power. It highlighted the already personal lyrics and made the moment both communal and intimate at the same time. They played three songs from an unreleased (and unannounced) new album. But they also played their big hits (Angel of 8th Avenue, In the Wake of your Leave and Deepest Sighs, the Frankest Shadows).
These hits really highlighted the appeal of the band. Again, I think they would hate this comparison, but with the whole congregation (sorry, I mean crowd) singing as one it felt a little like being in church.
