Review: Voyager at Magnet House

Voyager at Magnet House
w/ Alter Boy
Friday, July 4, 2025

On July 4, 2025, Voyager made a powerful return to the stage at Perth’s Magnet House for a night that was far more than a concert. Titled Voyager by Night, the event marked the band’s first major performance since frontman Danny Estrin publicly shared his Stage 4 cancer diagnosis. It was a moment of defiance, resilience, and shared strength, uniting a full-capacity crowd in celebration of a band that has not only endured but also evolved.

This was no ordinary comeback. After a two-year hiatus defined by uncertainty, intense medical treatment, and a global outpouring of support, Voyager reunited on stage with a spirit that was both heartwarming and electrifying. For a line-up that had already carved out its place in heavy music history through four critically acclaimed albums (V, Ghost Mile, Colours in the Sun, and Fearless in Love), this night felt like a culmination and a fresh beginning all at once.

While the band had earlier offered a family-friendly matinee performance, Voyager by Day, on June 21 at Rosemount Hotel, complete with an all-ages atmosphere and meet-and-greet opportunity, it was the nighttime show that captured the gravity and grandeur of Voyager’s return. Voyager by Night wasn’t simply about playing the hits. It was about standing together, artist, audience, and crew alike, and witnessing something truly rare: a moment in time where love, legacy, and sheer determination lit up the stage as brightly as the music itself.

Opening the evening with remarkable conviction, Alter Boy delivered an art-rock performance that was equal parts bold, emotive and inclusive. Lead vocalist Molly Priest commanded attention with a voice that moved effortlessly between tenderness and power, establishing an immediate connection with the audience. Her emotive delivery, paired with rich, layered synths and atmospheric textures, created an immersive soundscape that resonated throughout the venue.

Behind the keys, Andrew Wright sculpted the sonic landscape with precision, his deft synth work laying the foundation for the band’s expansive arrangements. Drummer Josh ‘HVN’ Hellis provided subtle rhythmic drive, building intensity without overwhelming the emotional core of the songs. Bassist and synth technician Josh Terlick added depth to the low end, reinforcing the band’s dynamic interplay with a sense of space and clarity, while providing a unique point of difference with his backup vocals.

The performance was made even more compelling by the integration of AUSLAN interpretation, woven seamlessly into the set by Luke ‘NRG’ Eastman as a natural part of the storytelling. With members of the band identifying as hearing-impaired, Alter Boy’s approach to accessibility is not a feature but a foundation. Priest and Eastman stand together as the unified voice of the band, their connection inseparable and fundamental to the group’s identity.

Alter Boy’s presence on stage was arresting without ever feeling overstated. The combination of vulnerability, confidence, and intention set the tone for the evening ahead. Their ability to deliver an experience that felt both deeply personal and universally accessible ensured that the show began not just with sound, but with meaning.

As the house lights dimmed and a Eurovision-themed countdown clock appeared on the LED screen, the atmosphere was thick enough to cut with a knife. Voyager emerged to the soaring strains of The Best Intentions, immediately followed by fan favourites Colours and Dreamer. Estrin’s voice rang out strong and clear, a defiant counterpoint to the physical challenges he has endured. The band, tighter than ever, locked into a rhythm that balanced technical mastery with raw energy.

Highlights included the infectious grooves of Gren making its stage debut, the emotional punch of Ghost Mile, and the soaring climaxes of Ascension. Voyager’s trademark blend of progressive metal, synth, and pop sensibility was on full display, delivered with precision by Estrin, guitarists Simone Dow and Scott Kay, bassist and backup vocalist Alex Canion and drummer Ashley Doodkorte.

This is a group of polymaths: intellectually sharp, musically gifted, yet refreshingly grounded. Their command of their craft is indisputable, but it is matched by a sense of humour and humility that keeps the experience human. At the heart of this unit is Estrin, whose exemplary leadership has helped forge a band that doesn’t just make great music; it creates shared moments of connection and community. Under his guidance, Voyager has assembled a line-up renowned for lighting up the global stage. More on that point soon!

A standout feature of the night was the extended catwalk stage that jutted into the crowd, allowing the band to dissolve the boundary between performer and audience. Rather than a mere visual flourish, the catwalk became a dynamic tool in Voyager’s storytelling. One particularly memorable moment saw Estrin and Kay engage in a playful game of movement and timing, weaving past one another with calculated precision. Their choreography evoked the tactical push and pull of a chessboard in motion, like two rooks advancing towards a ladder mate.

And then came Seen Better Days. The latest single, achingly personal in its lyrics, unfolded like a letter from Danny to every soul in the room. Having endured 37 rounds of chemotherapy, 11 rounds of radiation, surgeries, and the tireless efforts of medical professionals, Estrin continues to fight with a courage that defies words. Seeing him command the stage with such passion and power was both moving and unforgettable. A video intro rolled on the LCD:

“You live as if you were destined to live forever.
No thought of your frailty ever enters your head,
of how much time has already gone by you take no heed…

You squander time as if you drew from full and abundant supply,
though all the while that day which you bestow upon some personal thing is perhaps your last…

You have all the fears of mortals and the desires of immortals…

How late it is to begin to live just when we cease to live.”

As he stood beneath the trademark tessellating Magnet House triangle lighting that bathed him in light, the lyrics resonated with an audience who knew what the song meant. The entire room held its collective breath, many shed tears of love, and then roared in solidarity for one of the world’s most charismatic frontmen.

Despite the gravity of the occasion, Voyager infused the night with the aforementioned humour and warmth. The band indulged in their trademark banter, riffing on 1990s West Aussie TV jingles and spontaneously leading chants for Estrin’s oncologist and otorhinolaryngologist. Naturally, the crowd struggled with the pronunciation of the latter, much to the amusement of Estrin. Tracks like Submarine mirrored their viral music video productions and were elevated by playful onstage antics, including themed costumes and choreographed moments that showcased Voyager’s enduring camaraderie.

The night also served as a celebration of Voyager’s global rise. With Eurovision footage rolling on the big screen, Runaway and the thunderous anthem Promise reminded everyone just how far the band has come. Simone Dow delivered a flawless solo, while even Doodkorte emerged from behind the kit to take a well-earned turn on the catwalk. The energy was jubilant, cathartic, and unstoppable.

There is nothing quite as captivating as Estrin delivering a keytar solo on a runway stage while wearing a floor-length fur coat. This only strengthened his status as the undeniable focal point of the night. Local fashion label Zhivago, whose partnership with Voyager fits together like Nutella on toast, also deserves recognition for their tireless work in crafting the band’s striking visual presence. Their dedication behind the scenes is well worth celebrating.

Dean Gratwick from Beatmatch truly lit up the night, his lighting design adding vibrant energy to every moment on stage. In a playful moment, he cheekily flicked the lights off when Canion accidentally overlooked mentioning his contributions, reminding everyone just how vital his work was to the show’s atmosphere. Equally deserving of praise is Aidan Barton, whose unwavering dedication to Voyager spans back to their debut album, Element V, in 2003. His expert touch in both live and recorded sound engineering has been a cornerstone of the band’s signature sound throughout their career.

For the encore, the band returned to their roots with White Shadow, a cult classic that bridged the band’s earliest incarnation with their current form. It was a fitting close to a night that honoured every phase of Voyager’s journey. The crowd, many of whom had flown in from across Australia, sang every lyric back with fervour and pride.

When the final note faded, the band assembled at centre stage, bowed in unison, and exited to overwhelming applause. Voyager by Night was not just a gig. It was a chapter in the story of a band that continues to define its legacy in the face of unimaginable adversity. A tribute to love, friendship, perseverance, and the kind of brilliance that demands to be remembered. It was a night where music met meaning, and no one who was there will ever forget it. Voyager reminded everyone what it means to rise, to fight, and above all, to connect through the unifying power of music.

Next, the mighty Voyager heads to Cologne for Euroblast on Saturday, September 27. This will be their sole appearance on the global stage in 2025.

We wish you well, Voyager. We love you, and we love Danny!

ANDY JONES

Photos of Voyager by DarKSpirit Photography
Photos of Alter Boy by Keith Mitchell