Dune Rats: Support Act Review

I’m standing as far back as I’ve ever been in line at Riverstage, with great grey clouds overhead and flashes of lightning peppering the sky. Behind and in front of me, tonight’s audience is decked out in head-to-toe black, showing off their relaxed gothic fits in the Summer humidity. I feel a little sorry for our main act tonight, Yungblud, and wish him the best in the sweltering heat. But I’m sure our support act tonight, the Dune Rats, are right at home in the lush greenery of the Riverstage hill. I’m excited to see the local band for the first time tonight and there seems like no better place for it than this garden in the city!

This is what happened at Dune Rats set at Riverstage on January 17th, 2026.

DUNE RATS

With the rain putting a damper on the evening, we heard the familiar sound of AC/DC’s Thunderstruck. It worked its magic, warding off the thunder and lightning as the Dune Rats took to the stage! They kicked straight into their garage rock sound, instantly hooking the crowd with their loud vocals and fast instruments which was heating up the dancefloor. Picking up the pace with Be Like You, the Brisbane boys were going hard from the get-go.

The band was formed by guitarist Danny Beus and drummer BC Michaels, with bassist Brett Jansch joining to form the trio. With a punk flair, the band turns things up in songs like Red Light Green Light, and loosens everyone up with their beachy rock in songs like 6 Pack. The recurring motifs in the band are about getting drunk and high with your mates on a sunny arvo, blasting your favourite bands from the backyard for the whole neighbourhood to hear. It’s fun and frenetic, but quintessentially chill Australian rock.

Dune Rats’ cheeky humour was all in the lyrics tonight, with the band focusing on being as loud and punk as possible in their sound. Up’s beat had us jumping in the mosh pit during the chorus, building energy in the crowd the whole time. Their short, fast, and loud music makes you want to headbang along with Jansch the whole time or shout out the lyrics back to the band louder than they can sing them. Beus’ vocals and Michaels’ backing vocals are strong with a good sense of grit. Songs like Paper Cuts, with give moments of unleashed rock and restraint in the build-up, excited the crowd, keeping us on our toes the whole time.

Even we were already pretty warm in the pit, Dune Rats wanted us really hot and sweaty. The edgy Scott Green had the audience yelling back the lyrics and thrashing along to the heavy guitar. Likewise, the liberating Superman made you feel like you were flying along on the soundwaves from the stage, with a fun theme-song flair. I thought What A Memorable Night was a great choice for the show, with the band setting us up for a memorable support act before the main event! It’s punchy beats as the sky turned dark felt pretty poignant in the moment.

With not long left in their set, the band made sure to pack as much energy into their last few songs, starting with the fast and funny Rich Kid Rehab. Of course, one of the best Aussie rock bands today paid tribute to the greats who came before them. Dune Rats’ penultimate song was their cover of The Angels’ Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again, joined on stage by their hometown friend Toby on guitar. If you ever catch yourself thinking Australia has no musical identity, just watch this cover (or better yet, catch Dune Rats on their upcoming tour where they’ll hopefully play it live)! Ending things out with Bullshit, it was impossible not to dance and sing along. We hope the band doesn’t get too messed up on the rest of the tour, but a little should be fine as they continue to party with Yungblud and jump into their own headline shows soon! Definitely give them a listen if you’re keen to rock out!

Fave song: What A Memorable Night