It has been a decade since Dick Diver released their last album, but the beloved Melbourne quartet proved they have lost none of their magic during a surprise reunion that expanded from a single show to four sold-out performances at the Thornbury Theatre.
The band, known for their jangly guitar sound and wry, everyday lyrics, last played together in 2018. Half the members now live in Europe, but the pull of the reunion was strong. “It’s been such a treat to learn these old songs,” guitarist Alistair McKay told the crowd on Friday night. “It’s been a while since we’ve been together.”
While the first show felt slightly subdued, with the band’s trademark banter missing and chatter from the crowd during the meditative track Amber, the music itself was tight. Guest musicians on saxophone and trumpet elevated songs like Lime Green Shirt and Private Number, and the band’s habit of swapping instruments and vocal duties added to the ramshackle charm.
By Saturday, the energy was noticeably higher. The set included highlights such as Alice, a standout from the 2013 album Calendar Days, and the spaghetti western-inspired Flying Teatowel Blues. Between songs, the band’s easy repartee returned, with Al Montfort joking, “Who can recite their CRN number?” before launching into New Start Again.
Dick Diver’s music continues to resonate, capturing both the larrikin spirit of Australian culture and a deeper truth about modern life. As the crowd roared “burn the flag” during Head Back, it was clear these songs remain as relevant as ever.
