Holy Holy | The Corner Hotel
On Sunday the 18th, Melbourne was gifted the second of two sold-out shows by Holy Holy performed at Richmond’s Corner Hotel, and I couldn’t have anticipated just how intimate and special the night would be. On a cold, brisk evening, the venue offered the perfect warm hideaway — a moody, angular room with a distinct underground charm. After securing a mandatory and necessary pint, I settled in among the slowly growing crowd for the opening act. At 7:30 pm sharp, Melbourne singer-songwriter Lotte Gallagher took the stage under a wash of blues and purples. Her sound — a mesmerising blend of grunge and dream-pop — called to mind Phoebe Bridgers and Angie McMahon, though with a voice uniquely her own.
Lottie Gallagher // Photo Credit: Asuka Chen
Though I’d only skimmed her music beforehand, I was floored. Lotte’s performance was beautifully balanced — delicate yet powerful, floating vocals layered over punchy, bass-driven grooves. Her heartbreak-laced lyrics felt raw and cathartic. Tracks like Heavy and This Room were standouts, each met with warm applause and enthusiasm from the room. Before closing, Lotte introduced a pre-release track titled Adam, co-written and produced by Holy Holy’s Oscar Dawson, who stepped out mid-song to join her in a special performance. The connection was evident, and the crowd responded with cheers. Adam had all the DNA of a future fan favourite, and it’s one I’ll be watching for when it drops.
Photo Credit: Asuka Chen
After a brief intermission, Holy Holy took the stage at 8:30 pm, kicking off a wonderful edition of their Grand Hiatus Tour set with the instantly recognisable intro to Elevator. The room erupted. Oscar Dawson and Timothy Carroll were joined by CLEWS (Lily and Grace Richardson) on backing vocals, Ryan Strathie on drums, and Graham Ritchie on bass.
The setlist, which was 21 songs strong, was a deep dive into their musical catalogue, ranging from early gems like Impossible Like You to emotional new tracks such as Love You Still from their latest album, Sweet Bitter Sweet, which Timothy informed the crowd was written as a dedication to the fans. As someone who’s had their music on repeat through many seasons of life, finally seeing them live — and on their last tour — was both nostalgic and moving.
From start to finish, Holy Holy delivered a masterclass in live performance. Oscar’s luscious hair and impressive (and honestly pretty sexy) guitar solos added layers of emotion and passion to nearly every song, while Timothy’s instantly recognisable vocals carried a warmth that made each lyric hit harder. Every track felt alive, breathing new life into their studio recordings.
Mid-set, they performed If I Were You, written specifically to showcase Ryan Strathie’s drumming. The cool lighting and urgent rhythm gave the track an atmospheric, oceanic feel, like floating in deep space. Then came what Timothy dubbed “the four horsemen of the apocalypse”: four tracks from My Own Pool of Light played in succession. The result? A tight, electric run that left the band breathless and the crowd roaring.
Later, the crowd was treated to a surprise appearance from thatboykwame, who joined them for a high-octane version of Messed Up. He had the crowd in the palm of his hand, shouting along to the chorus. More highlights followed, including The Aftergone, featuring CLEWS, and a haunting, stripped-back version of Sentimental and Monday during the encore — a rarity that felt truly special.
Finally, Holy Holy wrapped their set with True Lovers, a fitting and heartfelt farewell track. It was the perfect closer — emotional, appreciative, and full of gratitude. Looking around the room, there were smiles, hugs, and quiet tears. This show wasn’t just a performance; it was a goodbye—one that fans will remember long after the amps and Oscar’s guitar have cooled.
Thank you, Holy Holy.
Photo Credit: Asuka Chen