HEADLINER: NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA
SUPPORT: CATALANO
DATE: MAY 30TH 2025
VENUE: CROWBAR, BRISBANE
REVIEWER: MERT TYSON PHOTOGRAPHY
PHOTOGRAPHER: MERT TYSON PHOTOGRAPHY
Fasten Your Seatbelts – A Rock & Roll Flight Like No Other!
Hardline Media once again cleared Brisbane’s skies for a turbulence-free landing of The Night Flight Orchestra, as part of their Moon Over Australia 2025 Tour—and, wow, what an electrifying ride! These Swedish high-flyers have become frequent visitors to our shores, and believe me, no one is complaining! With Catalano setting the runway ablaze, this was a sonic journey cruising at maximum altitude, leaving every passenger mind-blown and exhilarated.
Pre-Flight Thrusters Engaged: Catalano Brings the Heat
Queensland’s own (yes, Danny, you count!) Catalano opened the night like a fighter jet launching off a carrier deck. A masterclass in glam-infused rock & metal, these guys throw down the kind of energy that makes you want to hop in a time machine straight to the golden age of Motley Crüe, RATT, W.A.S.P., and Quiet Riot. Frontman Roxx was nothing short of spectacular, with vocals and stage presence that would make any rock purist proud. Decked out in an outfit that screamed rock royalty, he set the tone for pure class and high-voltage fun. Jackson and Arthur on bass and drums held the engine room down, driving the Catalano Band machine forward at full throttle. And then there’s Danny “JUMP” Ritz—not only a shredder extraordinaire, but apparently a guitar-contortionist hybrid, twisting mid-solo while somehow keeping rhythm! This band deserves a headliner slot soon, no doubt about it. An absolute pleasure to see live!
Cabin Doors Closed – Night Flight Takes Off!
Now, the runway was cleared for the main event, and The Night Flight Orchestra stormed the stage like a 747 hitting full thrust. The Swedish rock fusion gods delivered a mix of classic rock, disco funk, and ‘80s groove, taking the packed Crowbar Brisbane on a first-class journey through their soaring melodies.
Captain Björn Strid, dressed in his flight jacket, silver tassels, and beret, commanded the aircraft with flawless vocals, proving yet again why he’s one of the best in the business. The Brisbane faithful didn’t hesitate to get those dancing shoes shuffling, embracing the band’s infectious rhythm. And the fashion? Loud, ‘80s bold, and totally on point.
They hit cruising altitude with classics like: ✈️ “Satellite” – Soaring harmonies and undeniable groove. ✈️ “Gemini” – Pure energy with melodies that swept the crowd into a retro dream. ✈️ “White Jeans” – Funky hooks that had the room singing and moving, truly live perfection.
New tracks from Give Us the Moon 2025 landed like a sonic boom: 💫 “Melbourne May I” – Björn joked about defending himself, explaining that the song is for all Australians, not just the Melbourne crew. Brisbane kids laughed along—we share well! 💫 “Way to Spend the Night” & “Like the Beating of a Heart” – Simply breathtaking, every note crafted with precision. 💫 “Paloma” – A deeply moving performance, and Björn’s heartfelt introduction made this one extra special.
In a truly touching tribute, the band honoured the late, legendary David Andersson, a brother in rock whose influence and talent will never be forgotten.
In-Flight Crew – Rocking the First Class Cabin
Special shoutout to the rock-solid backline—Sharlee D’Angelo and Jonas Källsbäck, holding the groove tight enough to be waterproof. And seeing Sharlee? That’s royalty right there! ✈️ Anna Brygård & Åsa Lundman—Bringing vocal beauty and elegance to the performance, making the turbulence feel like a dream. ✈️ Sebastian Forslund—Keeping the rhythm and shakers locked in. ✈️ John Lönnmyr—Superior old-school keys that made the journey all the more thrilling.
Final Approach – An Unforgettable Flight
As the final call came over the loudspeakers, the band closed out with a cabin-wide conga line, getting every last ounce of energy from the crowd before touching back down in Brisbane.
If there were first-class seats to this ride, we’d be booking lifetime tickets. The Night Flight Orchestra delivered exceptional service, five-star in-flight entertainment, and a performance that soared beyond cloud nine.
Captain Björn and crew—we can’t wait to fly with you again soon! ✈️🔥🎸
Mert
