Australian indie band Last Dinosaurs rocked downtown Phoenix’s Crescent Ballroom on Wednesday, Feb. 26, selling out the band’s fourth stop of its U.S. tour.
Last Dinosaurs is fronted by brothers Sean Caskey (lead/backup vocals and rhythm guitar) and Lachlan Caskey (lead/backup vocals and lead guitar), with Michael Sloane on bass and Dan Koyama on drums.
The band has garnered a loyal following the release of their 2011 debut album, “In a Million Years.” Since then, Last Dinosaurs continued to build on its success with four more albums, in addition to an 10-year anniversary edition of its debut and an Audiotree Live release.
An hour before doors opened, eager fans filed outside the venue for the chance to experience Dino-mart, a free pop-up market available to the first 100 attendees of the Last Dinosaurs’ show. At Dino-mart, fans could browse unique guitar pedals, purchase exclusive merch, and enjoy a free meet-and-greet with the band.
For those who weren’t among the first 100 to enter Dino-mart, there was still plenty to look forward to as the night promised an electrifying show.
Jasper Bones, a solo artist from Los Angeles, eased show goers into the night with his soothing vocals and melodic guitar. With a soulful R&B sound, his lyrics conveyed themes of yearning and heartbreak accompanied by wavy guitar. Jasper fittingly closed his set with a cover of Mazzy Star’s “Fade into You,” earning cheers of approval from the crowd.
Second, Tipling Rock took the stage and got the crowd’s blood pumping. The four-member, indie-rock band delivered a high energy performance, juxtaposing upbeat guitar riffs and groovy synths with lyrics fueled by heartache. Lead vocalist, Ben Andre stood on the stage’s front speakers commanding the audience to throw their hands up. By the end of their set, Tipling Rock had the crowd energized and eager for more.
The opening sets, totalling three hours, was a crescendo of energy leading up to the highly anticipated headliners, Last Dinosaurs. Dressed in blazers, button-down shirts and ties, the Australian indie rockers had the crowd of devoted fans captivated from the first chord.
Last Dinosaurs kicked off its set with “Keys to your Civic,” the first track off the band’s 2024 release, “KYORYU,” a combination of two EPs, “KYO”and “RYU.” The album explores futuristic retellings of “human trials and tribulations,” through the lens of AI functioning as an “ancient style radio station,” according to Last Dinosaur’s Spotify bio. “KYORYU” blends the band’s signature indie-pop ballads with refreshing storytelling and commentary on technology.
Sean and Lachlan Caskey’s vocals were shining aspects of the performance. Alternating lead vocals throughout the night, the brothers delivered powerful, catchy pop hooks that had the crowd dancing and echoing the lyrics on tracks like “Dominos” and “Bass God,” both tracks from their 2018 fan favorite album “Yumeno Garden.”
Another highlight of the night was Last Dinosaurs’ alternative version of the more calming, dreamy track “Italo Disco.” Lachlan Caskey sang the first verse in Spanish to the delight of showgoers.
Last Dinosaurs’ studio albums capture the essence of the internet’s most beloved indie anthems, but the band’s stage presence and infectious energy are unmatched, especially in a room filled with passionate fans.
Wednesday’s show marked the band’s “first proper show in Phoenix,” according to Sean Caskey.
“It’s nice to have a room full of just Dinos’ people,” Caskey said.
Last Dinosaurs is on tour in the U.S. until March 26 and then is headed on the Latin America leg of its tour, starting March 29.
Edited by Shi Bradley
