Gallery, ReviewDitch This MagazineMarch 12, 2026gallery, live, melbourne, Odin Imaging, Nathan Goldsworthy, odin imaging, Linkin Park Tribute, live Nation, rod laver arena, linkin park

Kingfishr @ Forum Melbourne 10-03-26)

Gallery, ReviewDitch This MagazineMarch 12, 2026gallery, live, melbourne, Odin Imaging, Nathan Goldsworthy, odin imaging, Linkin Park Tribute, live Nation, rod laver arena, linkin park

photos: Nathan Goldsworthy @odin.imaging

If you happened to walk past The Forum on Tuesday night, you’d be forgiven for thinking Melbourne had briefly been annexed by County Limerick.

Outside the iconic theatre, the footpath buzzed with Irish accents, pints, and the kind of electricity that only happens when a band arrives with serious word-of-mouth momentum. Somehow, Kingfishr managed to gather what felt like the entire Irish population of Melbourne under one roof — and judging by the roar when the lights dropped, everyone already knew exactly why they were there.

The 10 March show also carried an unusual little footnote in the tour’s history. While it was the third Melbourne show announced due to overwhelming demand, it ended up becoming the first night of the band’s three-show run at The Forum. What started as a single Melbourne date quickly snowballed into a mini-residency as tickets disappeared almost instantly.

Not bad for a band that technically only formed a few years ago.

Kingfishr’s story feels refreshingly organic in an industry that often manufactures success. Eddie Keogh (vocals), Eoghan “McGoo” McGrath (banjo) and Eoin “Fitz” Fitzgibbon (guitar) met while studying engineering at the University of Limerick. What began as three mates writing songs together eventually changed course when their breakout single “Killeagh” exploded across Ireland, spending ten weeks at number one and eventually going four-times platinum.

From the moment the band stepped on stage, the night felt less like a traditional theatre show and more like a giant pub sing-along. Every chorus bounced straight back from the crowd, every quiet moment filled with voices, and every rhythmic stomp rattled the ornate floorboards of the venue.

There was no such thing as passive listening in this room — the entire audience was part of the performance.

Early in the night, Keogh paused to apologise to the crowd after his voice began to go hoarse during the set. Speaking candidly to the audience, he admitted he had no idea what had caused it.

“I have no idea what happened. My voice was perfect until the moment I stepped on stage. I’m really, really sorry.”

If anything, the moment only strengthened the atmosphere in the room. Rather than slowing things down, the crowd rallied behind him — stepping in to carry choruses and turning much of the evening into a massive communal sing-along.

And honestly, Melbourne was more than happy to help.

Musically, Kingfishr occupy a space that feels both timeless and modern. McGrath’s banjo lines weave through Fitzgibbon’s indie-rock guitar textures while Keogh anchors everything with vocals built for storytelling. It’s a sound rooted in Irish folk traditions but stretched wide with modern indie hooks and arena-sized emotion.

The emotional peak of the night arrived when the band stepped off the stage entirely.

No production tricks. Just a band and a room full of people singing together.

In that moment, the distance between Limerick and Melbourne completely disappeared.