Review: The Rions at Astor Theatre
The Rions at Astor Theatre
w/ Hey So Hungry, Birdland
Saturday, March 7, 2026
On Saturday night, indie-pop favourites The Rions brought their energetic live show to the iconic Astor Theatre, playing to a packed crowd that was more than ready for a night of dancing, singing and good vibes.
The Astor is one of those venues that instantly feels special the moment you walk in. With its vintage theatre design, balcony seating looking down over the main floor and a full general admission area right in front of the stage, it created a cool atmosphere for live music. There was something about seeing a modern indie band perform in such a classic theatre that just worked. The lighting throughout the night looked great, and the stage setup felt simple but effective, letting the music and energy of the bands take centre stage.
Kicking off the night was Perth triplet boy band Birdland. The trio are still in school, which made their performance even more impressive. They came out with a lot of excitement and seemed genuinely thrilled to be performing on such a big stage. Their set had a sweet, fun energy, and the crowd quickly warmed to them. People smiled and cheered them on as they played through their songs. It was like one of those really wholesome moments where a young local band gets to showcase what they can do in front of a big crowd.
Next up, Hey So Hungry brought a big boost of energy to the room with a fun and relaxed set full of original songs. Their playful stage presence made them enjoyable to watch, and the crowd quickly got into the vibe, clapping and dancing along. A standout moment came when they covered American Boy by Estelle—as soon as the song started, the audience recognised it instantly, and the whole room turned into a dance floor.
By the time The Rions finally took the stage, the crowd was completely warmed up and ready to go. They opened with Take What You Want, which immediately got the audience moving. From the very first song, it was clear that the band were having just as much fun as the fans in the crowd. Their stage presence felt really natural and energetic, and they spent a lot of time interacting with the audience, which made the whole show feel even more personal.
A fun surprise during the set came when they played a cover of I’ve Got a Feeling by The Beatles. Rather than playing the classic exactly the same, the band added a slightly jazzy twist that gave the song a fresh feel, keeping that familiar energy everyone loved. The crowd absolutely loved it.
One thing that really stood out during the performance was how engaged the audience was for the entire show. Fans sang along loudly to the songs, danced with their friends and fully embraced the upbeat atmosphere the band created.
To close out the night, The Rions finished with fan favourites Lobby Calls and Minivan. By that point the entire room sang along and turned the final songs into a massive sing-along moment that felt like the perfect way to end the show. During Minivan, the band also invited both support acts—Hey, So Hungry and Birdland—back onto the stage for a huge singalong and dance with the crowd, which was a fun and memorable way to wrap up the night.
Between the great lineup of support acts, the lively crowd and the charm of the Astor Theatre itself, the night felt like a real celebration of live music. If the crowd’s reaction was anything to go by, Perth will definitely be hoping to see The Rions back again very soon!
MOLLY ELLIOT
Photos by Linda Dunjey
