Hannah Bahng performed two back-to-back sold-out Melbourne shows (on the same date) as part of her highly anticipated The Abysmal Tour. The concert may have been brief, but it was undeniably intimate, leaving a lasting impression for all in attendance. The night was truly one where Hannah Bahng had connected deeply with Blues (fandom name), making every moment feel personal and unforgettable.
Hannah Banhg’s growth as an artist is a testament to her dedication and passion for music and her craft. Like many aspiring artists, she began her journey by sharing her musical growth and creative evolution on social media. Through covers, original compositions, and other aspects of her creativity including dance covers, Banhg gradually built a loyal following which allowed her talent and authenticity to shine.
From humble beginnings to now sold-out shows, Hannah‘s story is one of perseverance, artistry and is truly loved individual by her fans. And if it wasn’t obvious already, Hannah Bahng is more than just the younger sister of K-Pop Stray Kids’ Bang Chan. She is her own creative individual in a completely different music genre and is stirring up the industry.
Known for her introspective lyrics and haunting melodies, it’s clear why she said this would be the “worst night of your life”, with the ability to craft an atmosphere both mesmerising and deeply emotional made for an unforgettable experience. Every note Hannah sang held an almost hypnotic power, leaving Melbourne crowd utterly transfixed by her presence.
Opening the stage with ‘Oleander’ and ‘tonight’s the night I die to a Frank Ocean song’, Hannah’s eternal and raspy voice carried throughout the venue and lead everyone into the abyss, much like the tour had intended. Except it’s not a sweet dream that we’re entering, but a nightmare that we somehow wish to not wake up from. As every note went on, Hannah captivatingly pulled us deeper into her world, a place where beauty and pain intertwined, leaving the Melbourne audience entranced and lost in a somewhat mesmerising yet fitting darkness of her performance.
With just Hannah and her guitarist Ryland on stage, the experience was stripped down to its rawest and most intimate form. This minimalist setup allowed for every melody, every lyric and distinctive moment to resonate deeply with everyone in the room. Without distractions, except for when Hannah was interacting with her Blues from taking phones, to giving fanservice throughout her performances, Hannah Bahng had everyone in a spellbound.
Bahng knew exactly how to connect with her audience, yet still making sure that the experience for concert goers was relatable. You could say that she represented the persona of a Gen Z to the T. Her interactions were committed and fun, filled with authenticity and warmth for her Melbourne audience, ensuring that her Blues were able to join in and respond with as much attentiveness and passion as she was giving them. This shared experience with Bahng was one that allowed her to not only connect with her fans, but it also allowed everyone in attendance to connect with her as a person and with her music.
What Hannah Bahng concert would be complete without a fan face-off in a Rubik’s cube competition? Lucky fan Gloria, sporting black-out sunnies with ‘Hannah’ inscribed on them, took to the stage with confidence. As someone who competes with her fans at every show, Hannah, with her abundance of practice, wasn’t easily defeated. There were only winners at the end, and although Gloria was bested in the match, she left with a token of appreciation and plenty of love from Hannah, plus a signed Rubik’s cube that Hannah Bahng competed with as a keepsake.
Along with the friendly face-off was Bahng‘s unique renditions of ‘Valentine’ from Måneskin and Bon Jovi’s ‘Livin’ on a Prayer’. The Melbourne crowd was also treated to a special performance of her unreleased track ‘Ribs’. Before long, more of her much-loved original tracks filled the atmosphere with patrons singing along to ‘What Never Lived’ and ‘Pomegranate’, word for word.
Hannah Bahng ensured that her captivated Blues had indeed experienced the ‘worst night of their lives’. Afterall, what could be more unforgettable than a beautifully haunting nightmare? As the night drew to a close, like hitting rewind on a cherished memory, Hannah left her adoring Melbourne audience with one final track, ‘Perfect Blues’. Shifting the energy one last time, she brought the Melbourne crowd back under her wing for one final union in song.
Hannah Bahng concluded her first ever tour which included two back-to-back shows at Howler in Melbourne, Australia on Sunday March 23rd as part of The Abysmal Tour, proudly presented by Frontier Touring. The second evening Melbourne show was attended for the purpose of this review.
For more information, visit:
https://www.hannahbahng.com
https://www.frontiertouring.com/hannahbahng
https://www.instagram.com/hannahhbahng
Photography supplied by Frontier touring, photography by Cyril Asuncion.
