Good Charlotte - Motel Du Cap Tour
By the time the lights dimmed inside the Brisbane Entertainment Centre, the atmosphere felt ready to burst. This was not just a night of throwbacks, it was a stacked lineup of bands actively shaping their next chapters. With new albums in play and decades of anthems behind them, the stage was set for a show that balanced nostalgia with something far more current.
Gold Coast openers Parker wasted no time making their presence felt. Their performance was tight, loud and confident, landing big choruses across the early crowd and steadily pulling more people toward the floor. For a band stepping onto a stage this size, they looked comfortable and hungry, setting the tone for the night ahead.
When Kisschasy hit the stage, it was clear they were not just leaning on the past. Touring in support of their new album The Terrors Of Comfort, released February 13, 2026, they gave the fresh material real presence. Opening with 'This Bed' and 'Face Without a Name', they quickly followed with 'Lie To Me', one of the strongest cuts from the new record, carrying a sharper and more reflective edge.
'The Perfect Way to Meet', 'Strings and Drums', and 'Spray-On Pants' kept the momentum building, while 'Do-Do’s & Whoa-Oh’s' reminded everyone of the hooks that first put them on the map. Closing on 'Opinions Won’t Keep You Warm at Night' felt huge in an arena setting, thousands of voices rising with them. The blend of old and new worked seamlessly and showed a band still pushing forward.
Then Yellowcard stepped up and kept the night moving without missing a beat. Touring in support of their 2025 album Better Days, they opened with 'Way Away' before sliding into 'Breathing', immediately lifting the room. The violin threaded its way through the performance, lifting choruses and adding texture in a way that still feels uniquely theirs.
The band moved comfortably between eras. 'Light Up the Sky' and 'Lights and Sounds' sounded right at home in the arena, while the newer songs from Better Days blended in naturally rather than feeling like additions. There was no sharp divide between old and new, just a steady build that kept the energy consistent from front to back.
Midway through, Ryan Key took a moment to speak to the crowd, pointing out that this was their second Australian visit in 12 months and hinting that it might not be long before they return again. The suggestion alone drew one of the biggest reactions of their night. From there, 'Only One' brought the emotional pull, 'Better Days' felt fitting for this stage of the band, and 'Ocean Avenue' closed things out with the entire Brisbane Entertainment Centre singing together.
When Good Charlotte finally hit the stage, they made it clear this was the Motel Du Cap World Tour in full flight. Supporting their 2025 album Motel Du Cap, they came out swinging with 'The River', 'Dance Floor Anthem', 'Last Night', and 'Girls & Boys', sending the floor into instant movement.
Throughout the night, the Madden brothers shared their trademark humour and genuine affection for Australia, reflecting on the fact that it has now been 26 years since they first visited the country. They also spoke about how Australia was the first country to give them a number one album with The Chronicles of Life and Death, a milestone that clearly still means a lot to them. The banter felt loose and warm rather than scripted, with stories, laughs and plenty of appreciation thrown Brisbane’s way. It reinforced the long standing connection between the band and their Australian fans.
Newer songs from Motel Du Cap blended seamlessly with staples like 'The Chronicles of Life and Death', 'Wondering', and 'Misery'. The pacing felt deliberate, showing range without losing intensity. It was polished, loud and completely locked in.
As the show moved toward its close, the atmosphere shifted from high energy to something bigger. 'The Young and the Hopeless' and 'Little Things' felt less like throwbacks and more like shared memories, while 'I Just Wanna Live' and 'Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous' landed with a renewed sense of purpose. When 'The Anthem' finally rang out, it felt like a reminder of why these songs have lasted.
By the end of the night, Brisbane had been taken through the past and present of the genre in one sitting. New albums were celebrated, old anthems were screamed, and a packed arena proved that this scene is still thriving.
Thank you to Good Charlotte, the Untitled Group and the Brisbane Entertainment Centre for having us along.
Review by Jack Carruthers for Music Kingdom Australia
