Ed Sheeran mania had officially taken over Australia for the past month, with 3-4 stadium shows being played at each major city on his Loop Tour. It was a long time coming, but it was finally Melbourne’s turn. It was night two at Marvel Stadium, and unlike the beautiful evening the night one crowd experienced, this show was hot, humid and threatening thunderstorms. The roof was closed, trapping the heat inside, and we were about to feel every bit of it.

As we waited, the pink Loop Tour backdrop lit up the stage, complete with a QR code for fans to request songs for the setlist. I may have put my vote in, but you’ll see how that turned out. The venue was packed from the seats to the floor, with concert goers keen to brave getting as close to the stage as possible, all crammed together. The GA was split down the middle by barricades stretching toward a B-stage, and every inch of the stadium felt full. When the lights dimmed, an intro video played, telling Ed’s story, from busking on the streets to selling out huge stadiums. He explained the most important part of his performance, something that is unique to his shows, his loop pedal, which meant everything we’d hear tonight would be created live, right in front of us.

As the video ended, screams erupted as fans caught the first glimpse of him walking down the pit toward the B-stage. As he grabbed his guitar in hand, he started building the opening track, “You Need Me, I Don’t Need You”, layer by layer which really just set the tone for the talent we were about to witness. Midway through the song , a bridge extended from the main stage to the B-stage, and he sprinted across it before launching into his rapid-fire rap verse. Next up was “Sapphire”, as he was lit by a beautiful blue backdrop and fireworks exploded as the chorus hit, taking the crowd by surprise. 

The heat inside the stadium was intense. Those of us in the seats were struggling, let alone the fans packed into the pit, and Ed himself, who didn’t even seem phased. However, I was thinking even a thunderstorm would have been welcome.

As the bridge rolled back out to the B-stage, it was time for the fan-voted songs. First came “Grade 8,” a deep cut from his debut album, even after years, I still remembered every word. Then came the moment I, and clearly many others, had hoped for, “Tenerife Sea” and it was somehow even more beautiful live. That was followed by “Visiting Hours,” an emotional tribute to Michael Gudinski, whose early support helped shape Ed’s Australian journey. “Give Me Love” had the entire stadium singing before he returned to the main stage and brought out Beoga, a band he had worked with for a couple of songs, and then launched into “Galway Girl.” It’s genuinely impossible to be in a bad mood at an Ed Sheeran concert, especially when that song starts, everyone is on their feet singing along.

Throughout the night, he constantly involved the crowd, calling for singalongs, clapping and arms swaying side to side and the fans were completely engaged in every second of it. An unforgettable moment during “Celestial,” when 60,000 people jumped in unison. He shared how the song, surprisingly to him, became a huge crowd moment in Europe, but didn’t quite land the same way back home in the UK. Melbourne understood the assignment and we hope we did him proud.

There was also a mashup of songs he’s written for other artists, including “Cold Water,” “Love Yourself,” and “Little Things,” reminding everyone of how many hits he is behind. “Thinking Out Loud” and “Perfect” were introduced with him explaining that these will always be on the setlist as he’s seen firsthand how much they matter to people, not by listening stats, but by how they’ve soundtracked many people’s biggest moments in life.

Returning to the main stage, he powered through “Symmetry,” “Bloodstream,” and “Afterglow.” He then ran off as if the night was over, leaving the crowd waiting, wondering if this was it, only to reappear moments later, having swapped his sweat-soaked shirt for his own pink Loop Tour football jersey, which honestly, was great advertising. With three songs left for the encore, there was no way we were leaving without “Shape of You” and an energetic performance of “Azizam.” He closed the night with a fiery performance of “Bad Habits,” complete with full-scale pyro and one final explosive burst of fireworks, sending the crowd home on an absolute high.

It takes incredible skill for one person to hold the attention of 60,000 people alone. No band to lean on, no backing track as a safety net,  just him, his guitar, and a loop pedal. I found myself pausing quite often to look around at the sea of people, with Ed a tiny figure on a massive stage, yet he was completely in control and it was captivating to watch. Compared to seeing him in New Zealand years ago, just him, a guitar, and basic graphics, this felt like a huge leap, the production is bigger now, but he’s not hiding behind it, he’s allowing it to elevate what he already does so well and completely owns the stage. Ed Sheeran really does come across as someone who is  genuinely down-to-earth, showing his fun, cheeky side on stage, while also happening to be one of the biggest artists in the world. It was one of those shows where you could completely immerse yourself, with so much happening at every moment. With a two and a half-hour set, twenty-nine songs, and a production to that scale, he truly gave the crowd more than they could have hoped for.

The Alienation Tour is one that came up on my radar last minute, but I’m glad it did. One-X was one of the first albums I had on CD that introduced me to a catalog of 2000s rock that we all know and love. Three Days Grace is one of those staples you can’t deny as a pillar of what rock music was in the early 2000s. I was excited to see how they’ve aged, and how they hold up with newer bands like I Prevail and The Funeral Portrait.

The Funeral Portrait came out with a sound that said “we’re here and we’re serious.” Tracks like “Suffocate City” and “Stay Weird” really showed their personable nature and effort to connect with the fans. Lee Jennings sounded great and shows his experience and drive as a frontman in every song. You can tell the guys in the band really do get along and that makes the show that much better. They also worked in songs like “Blood Mother” and “Generation Psycho,” keeping the energy consistent. They’re one of the more promising newer bands in the scene and I’m glad I caught them on this tour.

By the time I Prevail hit, the energy had shifted. This was almost a hometown show for them, with members having cut their teeth in Grand Rapids or across Michigan, making it that much more engaging for them to be direct support on an arena tour. Their set leaned into the heavier end of their catalog with songs like “Bow Down,” “Self-Destruction,” “Violent Nature,” “Into Hell,” and “Bad Things.” They also ran through “Hurricane” and “Gasoline,” which kept the arena moving. What was noticeable was how they handled the post-lead-singer era, seemingly coming out stronger than ever. Dylan’s clean vocals on songs that used to sound one way now have this rawness live. The cover of Metallica’s “Sad but True” was a great addition and they killed it. These guys aren’t slowing down any time soon.

Three Days Grace connected new and old fans. Singer Adam Gontier looked energetic and ready after joining the band again in 2024. The dynamic between him and co-vocalist Matt Walst is great and something that feels rare in heavier music. These two did each other justice and sounded great, adding layers to older songs that couldn’t be done with just one vocalist. They ran through staples like “Animal I Have Become,” “Break,” and “I Hate Everything About You,” along with “Pain” and “Never Too Late.” They also pulled a few tracks from their new album Alienation into the set, and those songs didn’t feel out of place next to the classics. To see this band still packing arenas and embracing a new dynamic makes me excited to see what they do in the future.

Their new album Alienation, featuring both Adam Gontier and Matt Walst as vocalists, is out now.

Ring Of Honor

On Honorclub

Dec. 4th, 2025

Singles Match
The Beast Mortos vs. Komander (w/Alex Abrahantes)

A very solid match till the end. Not wanting either to lose before the PPV this weekend is fine but why do this match then even. 

3 / 5

Mixed Six Man Tag Team Match
Marino Tenaglia, Philly Collins & Zoey Lynn vs. The Premier Athletes (Ariya Daivari, Stori Denali & Tony Nese) (w/Mark Sterling)

Squash 

1 / 5

Singles Match
Sidney Akeem vs. Rosario Grillo

A few nice moves but really a pointless match on a show leading to a PPV. 

1 / 5

Six Man Tag Team Match
Dalton Castle & The Outrunners (Truth Magnum & Turbo Floyd) vs. Ashton Adonis, Jake Omen & Josh Crane

Castle is on the PPV for a belt yet both ROH episodes this week sees him with the Outrunners in a 6 man squash tag match. 

.5 / 5

Tag Team Match
Damien Reel & Damon Reel vs. Death Riders (Daniel Garcia & Wheeler Yuta)

Yuta and Garcia as Death Riders fighting no names here. Nothing about the PPV, which is a common theme, and nothing really too special. 

2 / 5

ROH Women’s Pure Title Tournament Semi Final Match
Deonna Purrazzo vs. Queen Aminata

Squash.

.5 / 5

Non Title Match
Mercedes Mone vs. Lovely Miss Larkan

Squash to just get More on this episode before the PPV. 

.5 / 5

ROH Women’s Pure Title Tournament Semi Final Match
Yuka Sakazaki vs. Billie Starkz

This was fine as a main event but just sort of boring. Pure Rules stuff already can be hard to care about given the rules but dear lord was the finish here terrible. Billie cheating is fine but the way Sakazaki fell over her looked awful. 

2 / 5 

GCW

Highest In The Room 4

Dec. 6th, 2025

GCW Tag Team Title Match
Bustah And The Brain (Alec Price & Jordan Oliver) (c) vs. Krusty Krew (Dom Kubrick & Lucas Riley)

A very solid opener but thats it. I remember when Oliver was poised as the Indies next big deal and here he just felt sort of there. The shine has for sure worn off. 

3 / 5

Singles Match
Jack Evans vs. Joey Janela

Another really solid match that was just missing something. A few super sloppy looking spots here where someone stood there randomly for just too long to allow a spot to happen. Evans being so far into wrestling and having not slowed though is something to talk about. 

3 / 5

Tag Team Match
The Brothers Of Funstruction (Ruffo The Clown & Yabo The Clown) vs. Epic Shit (Epic & Rob Shit)

I hated this. I really don’t enjoy anyone in this match. 

.5 / 5

GCW Ultraviolent Title Match
Matt Tremont (c) vs. Damian 666

Damian 666 is old and its really showing here. Tremont is a legend though and his 2025 run is one for the ages. This was fine for the clear limitations.

2 / 5

Six Man Tag Team Match
Briyante Jr., Rey Horus & Spider Fly vs. Los Desperados (Gringo Loco & Jack Cartwheel) & Vengador

Very well likely will be match of the night. A 6 man lucha spot fest. Pretty much nonstop action here and even if it did go a little long at over 20 minutes it was a lot of fun. 

4 / 5

Singles Match
Priscilla Kelly vs. Vipress

This was fine at its very best. Too much down time and playing to the crowd with slow moments. 

2 / 5

Three Way Match
Bobby Flaco vs. Starboy Charlie vs. Cobre

A solid 3 way that kept it short and fast paced. Good to see Charlie still going. 

3 / 5

Death Match
Ciclope vs. Drew Parker

Ciclope got cut badly on that pane of glass. Still not huge on needle spots though but these two went all out here and gave a crazy bloody deathmatch. 

4 / 5

GCW World Title Match
Atticus Cogar (c) vs. Effy

Effys title run has been mediocre and forgettable at best. This match overall was fine even if I hated the final. Atticus deserves a title run though. 

2.5 / 5

Silent Hill on paper should be an easy enough horror film to make. Great location, characters, story, and the creep factor is all there. Somehow though we are now 0-3 on good films based on the games with this years Return To Silent Hill by far being the worst entry yet.

French director Christophe Gans, who directed the 2006 Silent Hill, is back at it this time around though the films are not related at all. We follow James Sunderland, a tortured problematic artist, who after losing the love of his life appears back in Silent Hill based on a feeling that she is still alive. He attempts to piece together clues of what may have happened to his love Mary, the town, and his own life as reality starts to blur even further.

The story is the first part of this films issues though. James, once in Silent Hill, runs from spooky situation to spooky situation, with really nothing in between. The world feels empty in the worst way, nothing feels like a threat, and it all comes across as boring and lackluster. Iconic enemies make their appearance here and are quickly either dumbed down and ignored as if they aren’t a real threat.

It tries so hard too with the story to make it a convoluted plot of what may or may not be real but never seems to embrace it enough to let us in. We get hints of sub plots including the town, a cult, his love Mary and what happened, as well as his life post Mary, but the film just sort of moves on without explaining it in even a simple way.

Visually the movie is hideous too. The green screen is constant and looks beyond cheap. So many effects are just keyed in to where its clear nothing is actually around them. It doesn’t help too that our only two actors here are both acting with the enthusiasm of someone who doesn’t want to be there and hold zero chemistry together.

At 106 minutes the film slogs on. Though the ending tries its best to redeem itself, which is supposedly one of the endings of Silent Hill 2 which this game is based on, the journey there is boring and not done well enough to endure the travel there.

Score :

.5 / 5

Don’t you just love a terrible love budget movie where really nothing in it stands out because it seems they always find their way to me.

The Vindicator follows a true crime podcast crew who has a serial killer disrupt their show as they are filming at a famous location. From there he slowly starts to go after them causing them reveal things they wish were kept hidden.

This is low budget and awfully boring. The plot never becomes interesting with the twist mainly because everyone here is so horribly unlikeable. Its a room of people who don’t get killed quick enough.

Sadly not even the kills here are worth it because there really isn’t anything noteworthy at all and really nothing till the final few minutes. You are stuck with shoddy camera work and bad acting at a slow pace instead in an attempt to build towards our climax.

Its a premise that we will likely see way more in horror and if done right, could be great. Here though it just isn’t worth it.

Score :

1 / 5