Live Review: The Beta Band @ Forum Theatre, Melbourne

It probably goes without saying that Scottish outfit The Beta Band aren’t exactly household names, but looking around Melbourne’s Forum Theatre on Thursday night, you’d likely be forgiven for believing otherwise.

First forming 30 years ago, the quartet’s expansive blend of psychedelic indie rock and trip hop made them a fan amongst critics and tastemakers, but not quite on a grand commercial scale.

There is a chance though, that if you’re someone with only a cursory knowledge of The Beta Band, said familiarity likely came about thanks to their inclusion in the dialogue to 2000’s film adaptation of Nick Hornby’s High Fidelity.

“I will now sell five copies of The Three E.P.’s by The Beta Band,” John Cusack teases before dropping the needle on Dry The Rain. The namedrop proved commercially viable, with sales of the 1998 compilation – which collected the EPs Champion Versions, The Patty Patty Sound, and Los Amigos del Beta Bandidos – quadrupling after the film’s release.

Three studio albums arrived between 1999 and 2004, and The Beta Band even found themselves supporting the likes of Radiohead across two US tours. Still, vast fame and fortune never came their way, and in 2004, the group split due to financial difficulties.

Members continued on in various projects (including vocalist and guitarist Steve Mason, whose King Biscuit Time project was followed by a solo career, while other members performed in The Aliens), and in 2025, it was announced that a reunion was to finally take place.

After European and North American dates last year, the long-awaited Australian debut of The Beta Band was announced for 2026, and it was more than apparent the wait was worth it.

Opening the evening at Melbourne’s Forum Theatre was Death In Vegas’ Richard Fearless, who kicked off proceedings with a DJ set.

Offering up a batch of laidback dub and reggae cuts, it was probably a little far removed from what anyone may have expected had they seen Death In Vegas’ name adorning the bill. However, if openers are viewed through the lens of vibe curation, then it was an undeniably stellar pairing.

Of course, it’s always an impressive showing to see someone of Fearless’ calibre commanding the decks, wielding vinyl, and dropping beats like a true professional. Between cuts like Sylford Walker’s Burn Babylon, Joy White’s Dread Out Deh, and Sonya Spence’s Peace & Unity, it was a groove-laden affair that could have only benefited from a little toasting here and there.

While Death In Vegas may not have performed in Australia in their usual capacity for well over a decade, by Fearless’ own admission, local fans can expect to see that rectified next year.

With Death in Vegas’ set going well past the scheduled, major kudos need to be given to the road crew who ensured that the most minimal of changeovers resulted in the lights going down at 9pm on the dot for The Beta Band.

As David Bowie'‘s Memory of A Free Festival rang out across the venue, members walked onto the stage to the sound of massive cheers – the collective sound of 30 years spent waiting.

Launching their set with Inner Meet Me, it didn’t take long for the crowd to become transfixed with the performance unfolding before them.

There’s something that almost seems anachronistic about the way The Beta Band operate. Maybe it’s the immersive, full rock sound they deliver despite the presence of Mason’s acoustic guitar; maybe it’s the frenetic nature these paradoxically laidback tracks are performed at; or maybe it’s the dizzying presence of sampled instrumentation.

Whatever it is, it’s like watching musical surgeons at work. It’s intricate, it’s precise, and it’s so deftly done you wouldn’t want this music placed in anyone else’s less-than capable hands.

She's The One and It's Not Too Beautiful showcase the group’s sonic versatility, with the latter almost feeling as if it breaks apart at one point, only to bait-and-switch the audience as it picks back up with an orchestral crescendo.

Members wander around the stage as if it’s their loungeroom, they take up myriad instruments as needed, and to anyone else, it would be the recipe for chaotic aural miasma, but The Beta Band are trained professionals – even if they might not believe it themselves.

As the hypnotic Push It Out gives way to Needles In My Eyes, every member switches instruments to underline their musical capabilities, before a a long-winded story advocating for “shoes for dogs” precedes Dog’s Got A Bone.

With the home stretch of the main set coming into view, it becomes clear what the audience is keen to see. A mesmerising psychedelic freak-out is offered by way of B+A (which at one point, features all four members on percussion despite an additional drum kit left absent) before Dry The Rain results in the night's biggest response.

However, its conclusion results in a walkout from many who clearly felt they’ve seen all they needed to. More fool them, because Broke results in one of the most impressive performances of the night, with Mason taking up the second drum kit to partake in a dazzling double drum solo that resonates even hours later.

After a standard encore break, the group return, but Mason requests a communal singing of Happy Birthday first, recording it for the upcoming birthday party of good friend Pete Wiggs of Saint Etienne.

Pleasantries out of the way, the evening concludes with a rapid-fire showing of what makes The Beta Band great thanks to cuts like I Know, Squares, and The House Song.

As the delighted hordes stream out onto Flinders Street as the house lights go up, it’s clear the Melbourne debut of The Beta Band was one that had been eagerly desired by their myriad Australian fans for decades.

It might have taken them 30 years to finally visit, but hey, Beta late than never.