There’s very little we know of Yves Tumor. With aspects of their identity, like their birth name and age, being punctuated by mere question marks, Tumor is not only private but has cemented themself as a rising enigmatic star. If anything, they further prove it with their otherworldly debut in the Melburnian landscape of the Forum.

Tumor’s performance opens with billowing smoke and the persistent flicker of red strobe lights. There’s a pulsating drum against frantic breathing that initially envelops the stage, signifying Tumor’s arrival with their 2023 record Praise A Lord Who Chews But Which Does Not Consume; (Or Simply, Hot Between Worlds), personifying synth-punk tracks like ‘God Is a Circle’ and ‘Echolalia’. In ‘Lovely Sewer,’ Kidä’s recorded verses float in the air while Tumor desperately gyrates across the stage. Likewise, in ‘Operator,’ there’s a moment where the backing-track comes to a halt as Tumor desperately chants “Be aggressive, be-be aggressive!” repeatedly, and is then joined by the crowd who’s likewise full of vigour. Tumor’s spell-binding artistry further emanates through performances of tracks from their other albums like their gritty, Gospel For A New Century, and their pop-rock anthem, Jackie. Notably, the encore track, Kerosene!, catapults Tumor’s audience into new heights and is unequivocally the highlight of the night.

Tumor’s avant-garde discography is a magnetic entity in itself, and this night elevates it even further with its live ensemble. The airy, seductive resonance of their vocals is a stark contrast to their frantic and frisky stage presence. At times, Tumor leaps off-stage to intimately engage with the crowd, prompting wild hands to shoot up, each desiring to get a hold of the artist, and bringing the venue into chaos. It’d be remiss of me not to highlight the band that accompanies the frontman—their palpable energy matches that of Tumor’s which sparks a spectacular front.

For the entire 65-minute set, dense fog permeates the stage that renders Tumor a mere silhouette. Revellers are left to rely only on their voice and movement, magnified by the captivating stage lighting. Tumor morphs into a mesmerising figure. In response, we raise our hands in the hopes of feeling a sense of connectedness, and even if for just for a moment, we do—and what a sight it is to behold.

Yves Tumor performed as part of the RISING Festival running from 1 June to 16 June 2024. They were joined by Aya Gloomy, the night’s opening act.

Photographer credit: Andrew Faram