GALLERY & REVIEW | Montell Fish by Jaz Wilkins - Brisbane 2025

Pittsburgh native Montell Fish recently completed the Australian leg of his Dream Deer Tour, playing six sold-out shows across three cities. Now residing in Los Angeles, Montell first emerged in the music scene as a quiet creative force, making music in his bedroom that blended ambient lo-fi with RnB and alternative, adding a spiritual flair that made his sound uniquely his own. What began as a way to process hardships related to faith, heartbreak, and personal transformation soon evolved into something greater. After the release of his 2022 breakout album, Jamie, his music touched the hearts of millions around the world, resonating with those who related to the grief and vulnerability he so bravely chose to share. In doing so, he transformed pain into something transcendent. Now, with multiple albums, a varied discography, and an experimental alter ego under his belt, Montell's music has broken through barriers. He has established himself as one of the most prominent names within his niche, evident in his eleven million monthly Spotify listeners and over one billion total streams.

May 7th made for a cool, crisp autumn night in the heart of Fortitude Valley. It also marked the beginning of Montell's string of sold-out Australian shows. Excited fans queued outside The Fortitude Music Hall, the line stretching around the back of the venue and spilling onto the next street. Anticipation was high, and excitement was evident as fans waited patiently for the venue doors to swing open. At 7 p.m, the crowd began to filter inside, finding their spots and bathing in the soft glow of the house lights while singing along to Chappel Roan's Pink Pony Club playing over the speakers.

Before long, the clock struck 9 p.m, and Montell Fish burst out onto the stage under his chaotic alter ego DJ Gummy Bear, yelling into the microphone, "Australia, how are you doing?!" The audience screamed louder than any crowd I'd ever heard as Montell dove headfirst into a setlist packed with commercial hits and deep cuts. Wearing a grey camo hoodie, DJ Gummy Bear opened with his more experimental tracks 'FREESTYLE 01' and 'Every Night', best described as glitchy, chaotic choices that worked surprisingly well to amp up the crowd. But just as quickly as the chaos arrived, it dissolved. The lights dimmed, the tempo slowed. DJ Gummy Bear faded away, making space for the soul-baring artist everyone had come to see: Montell Fish.

The mood shifted from chaotic to tender as Montell addressed his audience, introducing the songs that fans originally fell in love with. As the opening notes of his hit song 'Bathroom' rang out, it became clear that this would be no ordinary concert. What began as a performance in a large, sold-out venue transformed into something more intimate, like a late-night songwriting session in his bedroom with the crowd serving as collaborators. Montell glided effortlessly through each track, performing fan favourites from 'Motel' and 'Fall in Love with You' to 'Altitude' and 'Talk 2 Me'. His raw, unfiltered emotions cut deep, with audience members closing their eyes, mouthing lyrics, and living in the moment, fully immersed in the essence of his music.

Montell Fish's music translated beautifully to a live setting, as if it had always been destined to escape the confines of his bedroom and find life on stages around the world. The performance didn't rely on pyrotechnics or flashy visuals. It was just Montell, his drummer, his guitarist, and his vulnerability. Bathed in the soft glow of a single spotlight, Montell often became little more than a silhouette on stage. Yet somehow, the space felt alive, charged with emotion and connection. The simplicity of the staging and lack of elaborate visual effects drew the audience's focus to the words, the music, and the man behind them. It made for an honest, raw, and deeply human performance.

By the time the final notes faded and the audience spilled out into the buzzing Brisbane streets, it was clear that no one was quite ready to leave the moment behind. This wasn't just another concert to tick off the calendar, it was a shared experience with heavy emotion and truth. Some shows entertain for a couple of hours before fading into memory. This one, however, will stay in the hearts of his Brisbane fans for a long time to come.

GALLERY: Montell Fish - Brisbane 2025

All photos: © Jaz Wilkins