Live Review: Killing Heidi @ Northcote Theatre, Melbourne

A strong, fresh line-up of female-fronted bands, including Hassall and Siobhan Cotchin, are the support acts to get things in motion tonight.

Melbourne-based indie pop act Hassall brings her raw, witty, and emotionally resonant storytelling to the stage, blending country, soul, and indie pop influences. She shares tracks from her latest EP including Overpopulater and Boss Level Shit with candid lyrics about taboo topics and everyday struggles.

Hailing from Perth, Siobhan Cotchin delivers a soulful and gritty set marked by heartfelt songwriting and powerful performances. Her vulnerable, anthemic songs are relatable and honest—about friendship and relationship break-ups, including Ghost of Us and Do You Know What I Mean?

Twenty-five years after Reflector first shook the Australian music scene, Killing Heidi return to their hometown city in Melbourne for a final sold-out show to celebrate their iconic debut album with a full-throttle performance that’s nostalgic and electrifying.

We’re transported back to the year 2000 during the golden age of Aussie alt-rock as they launch into the opening track, Mascara. Founding band members and siblings Ella and Jesse Hooper are joined by long-time drummer Adam Pedretti and touring band members on bass and keyboards. Even though the Hoopers’ dreadlocks are gone and they’ve traded Jack & Cokes for coconut waters, they’re still fired up and channel the explosive teen energy that they started out with years ago.

The band continues to play Reflector in its entirety, front to back, with hits Weir and Superman/Supergirl charging at the front of the set, true to the album order. “This is not how we would normally structure a set – we’ve done all the hits, now we’re on to the ballads! What the fuck is going on?” Ella Hooper laughs. They then continue to play Astral Boy, which is one of their rare softer songs that showcases their range from punchy rock to introspective ballads. “Nobody has lighters anymore, but put your phone lights up,” she calls out to the audience.

Fans show their love for this landmark record as they roar every lyric that recounts authentic teen stories to reconnect with those feelings after all this time that has passed. This tour is proof that Reflector still resonates deeply, and it’s a celebration of the band’s legacy and the timeless power.

“The album was mostly working with the emotion of angst, sometimes a little to the left and sometimes a little to the right, but never very far from the angst, and it takes a lot of breath,” she shares, as they take us back to their heyday high school years on Class Celebrities. The crowd brings the energy to blow them away, and they prove they can still rock out.

Jesse Hooper reveals that they were originally planning a big 20-year anniversary tour in 2020, but COVID-19 messed with their plans, so they rescheduled for 25 years instead. “Ella and I are so humbled and grateful that people have connected to this music again. The re-release went to number one on the Australian chart and the vinyl chart yesterday, so we’re stoked!” he exclaims.

Ella Hooper’s energy is contagious, and she’s ready to go with her Crocs in sports mode to get her jumping around the stage to connect with fans. Her vocals are incredible, and she belts out a few huge notes supercharged with raw emotion.

They dedicate Live Without It to anyone who’s lost someone. “I think there’s something really powerful about going back to a safe place – whether that was your teenage years, your ‘20s or whenever it was. The world is pretty hectic right now, and it’s hard to walk around and not feel the stress and anxiety, so it really is an honour to provide this space tonight so we can let that go for a bit.

“There’s also no shame in feeling fucked or sad or out of place in a world that has gone actually mad so you can own that feeling, share it and let it out through your pores tonight – it’s better out than in,” she exclaims, sharing a powerful singalong moment with everyone in the room.

Tonight is a full-circle moment of their journey. They reach the end of Reflector, but it doesn’t end there as they quickly return for an encore and stick around for a few more bangers from their other two albums, including hits Calm Down, Heavensent, and I Am.