If walls could talk, the bandroom out the back of Tanswell’s Hotel would probably just be screaming.
On Saturday night, DZ Deathrays tore through Beechworth like a thunderstorm in black denim, cramming their massive, unapologetic sound into the cosy corners of one of regional Victoria’s best-loved live music spots. It was sweaty, loud, and beautifully chaotic—the kind of night where your ears are still ringing and you can’t stop grinning.
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DZ came in hot and didn’t let up. From the first riff to the last cymbal crash, the trio owned the stage like they were born on it. Mayhem? Absolutely. Raucous? No doubt. Controlled chaos in the best way possible? That’s the DZ trademark. The band powered through their set with wonderfully messy precision and unfiltered energy, making that small-but-mighty room feel like a festival pit. How they managed to fit a sound that big into a space that intimate is beyond logic—but it worked.
And don’t think I’m biased just because I grew up there, I can assure the rest of the crowd, one punter shouting they’d travelled six hours to be there, agrees with me!
Tanswell’s bandroom, despite its modest size, proved once again why it’s the beating heart of Beechworth’s live music resurgence. Locals spilled in pint-in-hand, already buzzing before the lights dimmed. It’s the kind of venue that knows how to throw a gig, and the town knows how to turn up for one.
Warming up the stage—and damn near burning it down—were Drunk Mums, who brought a set full of punch, shouty brilliance, and full-throttle fun. They even threw in a raucous cover of ‘Born to Be Wild’ that had the whole crowd howling along. Very shouty. Very passionate. Very cool. Basically, the perfect chaos to match DZ’s.
All up, it was one of those nights where the beers were cold, the volume was illegal, and the music hit just right. DZ Deathrays at Tanswell’s wasn’t just a gig—it was a reminder that small towns and big sounds go together just fine.
Beechworth, you’ve still got it.
