FANGZ set a ferociously HIGH standard for punk rock tours with 'shui' TOUR - gig review
- Keely Naylon
- Jul 17, 2025
- 3 min read
‘He comes to every show, he’s awesome!’ Lead singer Josh Cottreau says mid-set, grinning, reaching out to a man in the crowd, a full pint in hand, beaming up at the Sydney-based band FANGZ.
It’s a show for their fans, friends, and newcomers alike, all packed into the spacious Bergy Bandroom. The Friday night crowd is eager as the lights dim. Melbourne is their second stop on an extended tour around Australia for their newly released album, ‘Shui’.
The stage is set with a tension building introduction, a smooth voice explaining the concept of ‘Feng Shui’ an ancient chinese art of creating balance through placement of objects. ‘Feng Shui, or Shoey?’ The voice asks, and the crowd roars as the five members of FANGZ enter the stage with bursting energy.
Decked out in matching Adidas black and white striped tracksuits, VBs in hand, the band wave to the crowd who scream back. It’s a pulsing crowd, riled up by the brilliant performances of their openers, All Regards and Oh! Daisy.
Cottreau stands out in his Chicago Bulls jersey and matching Adidas tracksuit bottoms yet is embraced by the crowd with a shared humour reserved for close mates.
Fellow bandmates declare Cottreau an Australian hero which is quickly shot down by a playful voice in the crowd, ‘He’s Canadian’.
FANGZ impressed immediately, with a roaring sound, cohesive and energizing. Cottreau’s stage presence was exhilarating, pacing the stage, reaching out to the crowd, clasping hands and sharing hugs with friends and fans alike.
Cottreau’s voice is unmistakably bold, powerful, and thrilling. He brings a desperate, clawing energy to vocally difficult songs, capable of switching between the pulse-racing screams to the classic, clean, punk-rock vocal tone.
FANGZ, a band known for their punk rock sound and attitude, sound somehow even better live with their furious, writhing energy. Steve Woodward on drums sets the racing pace of each song expertly, balancing a tight restrained groove with ferocious power when necessary.
Jameel Majam appears extremely comfortable on stage, his bass calm and controlled, holding down the rhythm section and an ongoing conversation with a rapt audience in moments between songs.
Majam jokes easily with the crowd as the band resets around him, jokingly explaining the background behind songs cheekily. ‘Anne Marie’s about how Ethan wants to fuck Josh’s sister’.
Cottreau talks about the true meaning for the track in official press.
"'Anne marie' is a heartfelt tribute to my sister, Leigh-Anne Marie - a constant source of strength, support, and unconditional love."
Mid-set tequila shots to the tune of The Champ’s ‘Tequila’ fit perfectly with the bands’ light-hearted, fun-loving, and raucous attitude.
FANGZ is a band that’s unapologetically themselves and are adored for it by those within the industry and fans outside of it alike. They maintain a do it yourself punk attitude that can disappear as bands climb the ranks (such as Number 1 spot in the ARIA charts on debut), it appears FANGZ has no intention of letting go of their roots. Much to fans' delight.
The members of All Regards and OH! Daisy wriggled through the crowd to mosh at the front amongst travelling fans and the band's producers.
Before the show guitarist Sam Shuemack helps sell merch, joking with punters, and helping out the openers.
On stage Shuemack transforms, becoming a master of his guitar, and capturing attention with his playing alone.
Each man is beaming, bright, and energetic. Each member appeared immensely grateful for the Melbourne Friday night crowd and eager to chase down the high of another show well done.
A FANGZ show will give you everything you want from a punk rock gig, and they will bring it to your doorstep, a band intent on reviving the act of touring the country and meeting listeners where they are.
They’ll give you a good night, an aching neck, and a renewed passion for Australian (Canadian) punk rock.
Just don’t ask them to do a Shoey (Shui?).
For more FANGZ find their website here.
