Bleak Squad - Sydney - 5 March 2026

Bleak Squad featuring Mick Harvey (Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, PJ Harvey, The Birthday Party), Adalita (Magic Dirt), Mick Turner (Dirty Three, Mess Esque) and Marty Brown (Art of Fighting, SodaStream). There’s a lot being said about this so-called ‘supergroup’ (a label I’ve never been fond of), and for my mind, this is definitely a case of the whole being greater than the parts. Their album, “Strange Love”, is a dark and brooding masterpiece, and their live performances have been receiving rave reviews. I’d been eagerly awaiting this show. I wasn’t disappointed. There’s real chemistry between these four musicians which enables them to so effortlessly fit together, each complimenting the others, no one dominating. A wonderful performance. I recorded five of the 13 songs performed: Strange Love (00:25) A Suitcase in Berlin (05:11) Everything Must Change (10:57) World Go To Hell (16:26) Black & White (21:58) I was surprised The Factory Theatre was only half full, but maybe that was because of Bleak Squad’s meteoric rise, announcing their formation less than a year ago with the release of their first single. And maybe being a weeknight kept some away. However, I’m certainly glad I was there and I hope it won’t be the last time I get to see them playing. I hear there’s talk of a European tour. And my fingers are crossed for a follow up album whenever they can fit it into their busy individual schedules.