It’s not every day that a band celebrates an album anniversary with such exclusivity, but La Dispute is no ordinary band.
On Friday night, the Michigan post-hardcore luminaries delivered an unforgettable performance at the iconic UNSW Roundhouse in Sydney, marking one of only five shows worldwide for the tenth anniversary of their third album, Rooms of the House. For Aussie fans, this was a rare and deeply personal experience.
The stage setup was as intimate as the stories within the album. The band performed without front lighting, immersing the audience in shadow and atmosphere—mirroring the emotional complexity of the record itself. The night began with a full run-through of Rooms of the House, each track unravelling like chapters from a haunting yet beautifully penned novel. For those who have lived with this album over the past decade, it was a chance to relive its raw emotions and untangle its intricate layers in real time.
After closing the album’s final track, La Dispute treated the crowd to an encore of beloved tracks, including Nine, Such Small Hands, Said the King to the River, Fulton Street II, and the ever-poignant King Park. The latter, in particular, ignited a wave of catharsis, with fans screaming every word as if the song itself was written for this moment.
In an interview with Blunt’s Peyton Bernhardt ahead of the show, frontman Jordan Dreyer reflected on the enduring resonance of Rooms of the House. He shared how revisiting the album in adulthood has deepened his connection to its themes, even surprising himself with how much he understood of life’s heartbreaks a decade ago. “Going back and listening to Rooms again and playing these songs in full, I realised how much more they resonate with me further on in adulthood,” Dreyer said. “Having experienced some of the traumas and complications on the record, it hits differently now.”
Sydney fans not only bore witness to this milestone but also got a glimpse into the band’s future. Dreyer confirmed that La Dispute is heading straight into the studio following their Australian show to begin recording their next album. As they closed their set to a roar of applause, it was clear that Rooms of the House still holds as much meaning for its creators as it does for their audience. Here’s hoping the next chapter of La Dispute’s journey is just as profound.
Photo Gallery by James Miller
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