THE TEMPER TRAP live at the o2 FORUM KENTISH TOWN, LONDON.
words by NADINE GOETZ
photography by INDIA FLEMINGIt's a cold Monday night in November, but that certainly didn’t affect the mood in the North London venue O2 Forum Kentish Town. Instead poppy beats, colorful lights, and sing-alongs filled the air on November 2nd. Australian rock band The Temper Trap have returned to the British capital after a nine-year hiatus with new songs and a lot of applause. Formed in 2005, the indie pop band finally released new music this year, with “Lucky Dimes” in August 2025 followed by “Giving Up Air” in September 2025.
Australian bands seem to stick together, as The Temper Trap were supported by fellow Australian band Tempesst, a psychedelic rock band formed by twin brothers Toma and Andy Banjanin. Lead singer Toma told the crowd, “When I was younger I saw a show [of The Temper Trap] in Brisbane and now we’re traveling around the world opening for them.” Their sound is a blend of rock and pop, known for their psychedelic influences from the 60s and 70s. The melancholic, dreamy tone blended well with strong vocals and instrumentals. The four-piece band certainly created a relaxed atmosphere, winning the crowd over easily.
When The Temper Trap took the stage shortly after, they earned enthusiastic applause from the London audience. The room was buzzing with anticipation to see the Aussie hitmakers again after their nearly decade-long hiatus. “It feels amazing to be back”, lead singer Dougy Mandagi told the audience three songs in. Their music is rooted in indie rock but heavily influenced by electronic, pop, and alternative dance sounds. Their songs are catchy and energetic, characterized by layered guitars and Mandagi’s powerful falsetto. The four-piece Melbourne-based band performed their new songs for the first time in London that night. When a fan loudly shouted, “I love you” Mandagi responded, “I love you too. We missed you so much.”
The setlist included sing-alongs, new songs, fan favorites like their biggest hit, “Sweet Disposition” released in 2008 which reached significant chart success. Mandagi shared that despite their Australian origins, “Australia didn’t really care about us until you guys did”, thanking the London crowd and crediting the band‘s success to their British fans' support. They also expressed, “London feels like a second home to us. We moved to London 16 years ago and now we are back here with a new record and new songs. Thank you for coming. We hope you love the new stuff.”
One of the night’s highlights was the “Drum Song” just before the band left the stage for the encore - a drum-focused track featuring Mandagi playing the drums alongside the band’s drummer Toby Dundas. The instrumental song, released in 2009 and over four minutes long, showcased the band’s musical talent, earning loud applause and even standing ovations. Throughout the night, the venue buzzed with excitement, fans welcoming the band back with open arms after their hiatus. The crowd was a mix of young and old, men and women - dancing, singing along, and applauding so loudly that at times Mandagi’s words were barely audible. The band appeared almost overwhelmed and visibly touched by their fans’ response to their return to London. Mandagi even joined some lucky fans at the barricade during one song, getting close and personal with their loyal fanbase.
The Temper Trap have long been recognized as one of the best live acts in the Australian music scene, and they certainly have not lost that reputation during their hiatus. They showcased their musicianship through both slow and high-tempo songs, and their new material, which seems to be very synth-driven, was clearly loved by the London audience. The passionate crowd and groovy music made that cold, rainy London night in early November truly memorable.
