Ball Park Music - Like Love Album Launch
Just two days after dropping their eighth studio album, ‘Like Love’, Ball Park Music teamed up with The Act Newcastle to deliver an exclusive and intimate launch party that fans won’t soon forget. The event took place at EARP Distilling Co. in Newcastle, set on a centralised 360° stage where the entire visual and audio performance was recorded live.
Known for its no-phone, up-close-and-personal approach to live music, The Act Newcastle offers a rare concert experience—one that sold out quickly when Ball Park Music announced the collaboration. Luckily, the full live recording will soon be released on The Act’s website and YouTube, allowing fans everywhere to relive the magic.
The show was held at EARP Distilling Co., a family-owned distillery that's been part of Newcastle since 1883. While it’s famous for its gins and charcuterie boards, EARP has also become a cultural hub for local art events and live entertainment—making it the perfect venue for an album launch like this.
Ball Park Music (or BPM), the five-piece indie rock band hailing from Brisbane, first formed—almost by accident—after being grouped together for a university assignment. Seventeen years on, they’ve become a cornerstone of the Australian music scene, regularly featuring on Triple J’s Hottest 100 and charting on the ARIA rankings. Their last album, ‘Weirder & Weirder’ (2022), left fans hungry for more, and ‘Like Love’ has answered that call with a signature mix of groovy, witty, genre-blending tracks that span rock, pop, and psychedelic influences.
The new album includes the emotional and introspective title track ‘Like Love’, showcasing a more vulnerable side of lead singer and songwriter Sam Cromack, as well as upbeat earworms like ‘Please Don’t Move to Melbourne’. Both singles have been well-received, with ‘Like Love’ landing at #43 on Triple J’s Hottest 100 in 2024.
As the event kicked off, BPM fans—both young and young at heart—began streaming into the venue. Some grabbed a bevvy to get the vibes flowing, while others browsed the curated merch table or picked up a copy of the new album. Once the stage room opened, the crowd gathered around a central platform, creating an intimate 360-degree setup where no one was more than five metres from the band.
With not a single phone in sight, Ball Park Music made their entrance to a roaring welcome. You could feel the excitement in the room—there were even a few tears. The band launched into a sprawling set covering highlights from across their discography, including crowd favourites like ‘It’s Nice to Be Alive’ from ‘Happiness and Surrounding Suburbs’, ‘Cherub’ from Ball Park Music, and ‘Exactly How You Are’ from ‘GOOD MOOD’.
“Being the first audience to hear songs from the new album was really something special.”
While the setlist drew from all corners of their catalogue, the spotlight was firmly on their latest album Like Love. Tracks like ‘Please Don’t Move to Melbourne’ and the title song ‘Like Love’ were met with heartfelt singalongs, while ‘Overwhelming Sound’ and ‘Coast is Clear’ made their live debut to enthusiastic applause.
“Tonight’s gig was an unforgettable experience; it was the most intimate show I’ve seen but not just from the park but from any band.”
Frontman Sam kept the energy high with playful banter and crowd interaction, often inviting call-and-response moments that made the performance feel personal and electric. Quips like “I can’t wait to play that 200 more time” had the audience in the palm of their hands. It wasn’t just a gig—it was a celebration, a shared experience between band and fans that won’t be forgotten any time soon. The love between the band and the love they had for the fans was clear and present.
After an incredible set—equal parts quality and good vibes—the band left the stage, only to return for a special treat: a meet and greet and signing session for the die-hard BPM fans who stuck around. It was the perfect end to a night that will be remembered for a long time. We’ll be keeping an eye out for more events from The Act Newcastle.
This performance also marks the kick-off of BPM’s Like Love Tour 2025, which has just been expanded to include 18 extra shows across Australia and New Zealand. The tour begins in Tasmania on May 2nd—less than a month after the album’s release—and spans both major cities and smaller, more intimate venues. With nearly two months of touring ahead, there's still plenty of time to catch Ball Park Music live and fall in love with Like Love.
Thank you to Ball Park Music, The Act Newcastle and Earp Distillery for having us along
Review & Photos by Jayde Willingham
