Dumbhead at the Curtin Hotel

21 November 2025 in Melbourne, supported by Dogworld, Cold/Heat and Girl Version.

Just on Friday we were loafing about, nursing/admiring our new Lottie tattoos, when we spotted this show and immediately bought tickets (prudent move, as it ultimately sold out).

Dumbhead we discovered at the recent Nighthawks birthday show and Dogworld, well, they're one of my favourite bands at the moment and I'm a little surprised I haven't mentioned them here on Sky Hulk before now.

We arrived in the Curtin's upstairs bandroom just as Girl Version, a sweetly-vocalled three piece, were starting. They seem pretty new and in fact I can't find a Bandcamp link for them.

I really liked their songwriting and guitar melodies, and their bass player really makes bass feel utterly essential. I don't know how to describe it better than that. I'd like to hear the band turn up the volume knobs and maybe fuzz out a bit, too.

Cold/Heat, up next, play synthy industrial music, which really isn't my genre, but they did pack out the audience and get people dancing. Including me, but that's because my feet just can't—won't—stop.

Now let's talk about Dogworld. I first discovered them at The Old Bar when they supported someone else, which must've been last year. It was when they first moved to Melbourne from Canberra, whenever that was.

They play kind of low-key post punk, the kind of thing that will appeal to 90s kids, I guess. It appeals to me. What I would suggest you do is immediately purchase their album Range. It's really good.

Before I get to Dumbhead...well I hate to bring this up but the experience of being in a live music audience can be dispiriting at times. Tall people just push in front with no regard, and them I am forced to look at their backs (not the backs of their heads, as those are up too high) and think ungenerous things about them.

I had such a nice time in the crowd the other week in Castlemaine where everyone (especially the tall young dudes!) made sure the short-arses could see. As much as I love the Curtin (a lot) I am starting to think it attracts some of my least favourite audiences. At least we have country town and metal shows to recharge one's faith.

But yes, Dumbhead, the headliners who were launching their new EP. They're a triphop four-piece with a great vocalist. One thing I particularly like is the way they use the trumpet, sparing and I hate to use the world 'sultry' but I'm going to do it anyway. Sultry.

They really are a quality act and I think they'll become quite big. I'm surprised their merch desk wares were burned CDs in home-made covers. I guess their label (Crossing House) is just a little Bandcamp-only type dealio? Of course, we grabbed a copy.

Yet another night enjoying Melbourne's excellent music scene. Us punters are very fortunate.