Atlantans seem to warmly welcome Australian acts, and while this wasn’t Dope Lemon’s first visit, there’s nothing quite like a sold-out venue to make a band feel at home. Nearing the end of their U.S. tour in support of their 2025 release Golden Wolf, Dope Lemon delivered a set full of great songs and groove to suggest they could easily fill an even bigger venue next time around.
The crowd skewed young, with plenty of couples and groups of friends swaying—or straight-up dancing—in place. Fans knew what they were in for: a “chill” vibe that was mellow and dreamy, but also with an intermittent dose of indie rock muscle, thanks to some fiery guitar solos.
Dope Lemon is the band name, but it’s the creative project of Angus Stone, who previously found success in a more indie-folk lane with his sister Julia. With five albums under the Dope Lemon banner, it’s clear Stone has carved out his desired space—one built on loosely psychedelic funk, warm grooves, and an expanded songwriting palette. The band often draws comparisons to Tame Impala, but with less of an electronic polish and more dusty vinyl soul.
That vibe requires a certain vocal type, and Angus’ vocals bring to mind the hazy, laid-back delivery of Kurt Vile. But if there was one shortcoming in the live show, it was the sound—lyrics were often hard to decipher. But for most, that wasn’t a problem. Fans either knew the words or simply rode the vibe, which remained firmly intact throughout the set.
The visual experience matched the mood. The band kept the focus off themselves, letting a dynamic and atmospheric light show drive the tone—morphing from moody and minimal to saturated and vivid, one song to the next.
Crowd favorites clearly came from the debut album Honey Bones. “Marinade” was an expected highlight, a “biggest hit” unusually played mid-set rather than saved for an encore. On the Indie-rock side of their live performance, “Honey Bones” was reimagined, this time culminating in a standout guitar solo that added bite to the dreamy mix.
From Golden Wolf, “Electric Green Lambo” delivered a funky lounge vibe that felt straight out of an imaginary, smoke-filled ’70s dance club. And “Yamasuki – Yama Yama”— Yamasuki, a band; “Yama Yama,” their song— was an inspired choice to lead the encore. Stone asked permission to sing over the band’s music, and it brings an alt-funk-psych energy bot live and on the album.
The stage visuals included quirky cartoon loops on a rear screen and four dancers flanking the stage in oversized furry heads. It didn’t have to mean anything—but it echoed the band’s album art, where lemons are drawn over the heads of models, and perhaps gave a nod to The Flaming Lips side-stage dancers over the years.
There weren’t any dissatisfied fans – a great way to start the weekend on a Friday night!
More photos follow.
Setlist:
Encore:
