Crash Test Dummies 30th Anniversary Tour – Brisbane: A Nostalgic Journey Through Quirky Greatness
Well, it all started back in 1993 at the Black Buffalo Hotel in Hobart… LET ME EXPLAIN!
Picture a young apprentice chef, finding solace in the hum of a CD player while the head chef relentlessly played Crash Test Dummies’ God Shuffled His Feet. At first, it was just background noise—but before long, the quirky lyrics, unconventional melodies, and the velvet-like baritone of Brad Roberts had worked their way into my soul. From that point on, I was hooked.
Fast forward to last night—Brisbane, Night 1 of the Crash Test Dummies’ sold-out tour stop. Technically, Night 2 happened first, but let’s not dwell on the scheduling quirks. What matters is the experience, and what an experience it was!
Walking in, the vibe was a little different from my usual metal gigs, but there was no way I was missing a chance to see a band that shaped my musical tastes. Plus, I left the venue a little financially lighter—thanks to a signed vinyl and a t-shirt. Very cool when bands do that!
Brad, Ellen, Dan, Mitch, and the rest of the band casually strolled onto the stage—no grand theatrics, just an easy smile and a knowing nod. Ghosts That Haunt Me kicked things off, and right away, the tone was set for an unforgettable night of nostalgia, musicianship, and melodies that sit in the sweet spot between rock, folk, and pure creativity.
Brad Roberts’ voice? Absolutely unchanged. His deep, resonant delivery on Flying Feeling sent chills down my spine and the classis Superman’s Song Phenomenal! Ellen Reid? As stunning and charismatic as ever—her presence and backing vocals elevated the performance, especially during Peter Pumpkinhead, pulled straight from the Dumb and Dumber soundtrack (yes, go watch the clip if you haven’t!).
Then came the classics—How Does a Duck Know? God Shuffled His Feet—and I’ll be honest, things got surreal. No over-the-top visuals, no pyrotechnics—just music, intricate melodies, and a crowd totally lost in the moment.
Two Knights and Maidens and The Psychic slotted beautifully into the setlist, but it was Afternoons & Coffeespoons and I Think I’ll Disappear Now that had the venue moving. The band exuded pure joy, clearly loving the experience as much as the audience. It may have been a sold-out show, but it felt like an intimate gathering among old friends.
Ellen, ever the entertainer, joked about 9 p.m. being past her bedtime and poked fun at the parents who had dragged their kids along. Then came the moment of hushed reverence—Heart of Stone. Silence swept over the venue; the emotion so thick you could feel it in the air. Brad and Ellen’s vocals were impeccable and powerful —a mesmerizing, haunting performance.
The night ended on a high—first with He Liked to Feel It, and of course, the song that started it all—Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm. Brad didn’t speak much, but he took a moment to introduce the band, thank Brisbane, and acknowledge the devoted crowd.
It was, in every sense, a fantastic experience—different from my usual musical outings, but something I’ll cherish forever. Seeing one of the bands that left an indelible mark on my youth was nothing short of extraordinary.
Crash Test Dummies, 30 years on, still have the magic. And I, for one, am eternally grateful to have witnessed it live.
Mert
The Ghosts That Haunt Me
In the Days of the Caveman
Flying Feeling
I Think I’ll Disappear Now
How Does a Duck Know?
God Shuffled His Feet
Swimming in Your Ocean
Here I Stand Before Me
Androgynous
Two Knights and Maidens
The Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead
Superman’s Song
Sacred Alphabet
Afternoons & Coffeespoons
Encore:
Heart of Stone
He Liked to Feel It
Mmm Mmm Mmm
