CHELSEA WOLFE'S STUNNING AND GRIPPING LIVE EXPERIENCE AT THE FORUM, MAY 23/5/25. WORDS BY MARK JENKINS, BREATHTAKING PHOTOS BY DAN MCKAY.

May 27, 2025

CHELSEA WOLFE'S STUNNING AND GRIPPING LIVE EXPERIENCE AT THE FORUM, MAY 23/5/25. WORDS BY MARK JENKINS, BREATHTAKING PHOTOS BY DAN MCKAY.

CHELSEA WOLFE'S STUNNING AND GRIPPING LIVE EXPERIENCE AT THE FORUM, MELBOURNE, MAY 23/5/25. WORDS BY MARK JENKINS, BREATHTAKING PHOTOS BY DAN MCKAY.

Chelsea Wolfe’s remarkable performance at The Forum on Friday truly marked a triumphant return for the acclaimed American singer-songwriter. It offered fans a rare opportunity to witness her haunting, genre-defying sound in one of the country’s most atmospheric venues. Touring in support of her critically lauded seventh studio album, She Reaches Out To She Reaches Out To She, Wolfe delivered a stunningly intimate, immersive performance that showcased both her new material and her expansive back catalogue.

APHIR

Australian dark experimental electronica/dreampop artist Aphir opened the show, adding a warm layer of intensity with her eclectic sound, broadening the sensory palette of the evening. Aphir(Becki Whitton) utilises a smothering mix of synth, dark beats and very layered, graceful vocals to give as many Kate Bush/Tori Amos vibes as much as Moloko or Bat For Lashes.

Aphir created lush and catchy tunes that were melodic but equally experimental and explorative. And artsy in the best possible way; complex structures, challenging rhythm foundations and quirky harmonies.

Her special guest, Kat Hunter (Lack the Low- please check her amazing work), added more grim, dreamy vibes, and it was a dream team of avant-pop/atmospheric electronica. Aphir was a brilliant opening act, and kudos to Becki, who was wearing UBOA merch, given sickness stopped this fantastic artist playing the support slot tonight and that solidarity is heart-warming.

CHELSEA WOLFE

Wolfe’s live shows are renowned for their ability to conjure a sense of gothic drama and emotional intensity, and this tour was no exception.

Backed by her full band, she transformed the venue into a shadowy sanctuary, enveloping audiences in layers of ethereal vocals, brooding synths, and thunderous percussion.

The stage was at times shrouded in low lighting and fog, setting the tone for a performance that felt more like a ritual than a conventional rock show. But to balance the light with the sinister, hard electronica punctuated the set with a strong trip-hop-like atmosphere combined with scorching guitar work.

This equilibrium was achieved by having a world-class lighting production in Australia for a music performance by John-Michael Schaub. Not only in sync with the exalted audio, but it also accurately matches the mood and depth of the outstanding compositions Chelsea creates.

It was astonishing and spectacular, simply refer to any professional photos or videos of this gig; you will be gobsmacked. Dan's photography captured not only the magnificence of Chelsea and her band but also lushly illustrated a production befitting the music and all it encompasses.

The setlist, whilst placing a strong emphasis on her latest release, dipped into earlier and much-loved tracks such as Pale on Pale, Feral Love and also the classics like 16 Psyche, Carrion Flowers, Dragged Out, The Culling and Survive from the incredible Abyss and Hiss Spun albums.

Tracks from She Reaches Out To She Reaches Out To She were given lively animation on stage, their dark, experimental textures rendered with both delicacy and power. Wolfe’s voice—at once fragile and commanding—remained the focal point, cutting through the dense soundscapes with haunting clarity.

Fans were treated to favourites from across her discography, with the setlist balancing older gothic folk gems and newer, more darkwave/industrial-tinged material. The curated flow of the set was outstanding, particularly how the newer tracks (eight from the current album) seamlessly fit amongst the gems from her super varied, but conquering, catalogue.

Plus, what I loved was the fact that it wasn't the songs simply being played, if you paid careful attention; all the noises/drones/effects in between the tracks depict a true dedication to the art you are witnessing.

Whilst every entrancing track was a highlight, I loved the four-punch combo of Dragged Out, Eyes like Nightshade, Survive, leading into Dusk. This was not only intense but deeply hypnotic.

The same could be said for the acoustic masterpiece of Flatlands (one of the night's finest, jaw-dropping moments), Place in the Sun and the magical The Liminal.

It is an often-overused expression, but her vocal performance is one of the finest I have ever heard. Plus, amazing song composition, integration of added layers and brilliant musicianship by every member of her wondrous band. The band and Chelsea may play with military-like accuracy, but you can see how each musician is passionately ingrained in the music they play.

Wolfe’s magnetic stage presence and the almost trance-like atmosphere she creates combine with a thoughtful mix of songs and the subtle reinvention of older tracks to fit the current band’s dynamic.

Live, the new material resonated powerfully; this spine-tingling immersive performance was emotive, riveting and powerful. Not since seeing Amenra live have I felt in a trance-like state from beginning to end, whilst utterly emotionally fatigued by the weight of the expressive force of both contrast and tension contained in this beautiful experience. This is what real creativity is about: not just lyrics, riffs, and catchy songs, but a heartfelt, hypnotic and glorious sonic ritual. Chelsea Wolfe is the art in cathartic.

Much love to Bird's Robe for having such a life-changing tour under their banner and to The Forum for being a glorious space to have such talent as witnessed.

Please catch any remaining shows of this tour or anytime Chelsea Wolfe tours, tbh.