Growth and change, and all it encapsulates in the physical, mental and emotional realms of life, have long been a preoccupation of Vacations' frontman Campbell Burns.
The Newcastle indie four-piece was literally born in Burns' Hamilton South bedroom before being swept along by the whims of the modern algorithms to packed US venues and becoming the city's most successful global musical export since Silverchair.
Songs like the Spotify hit Young - which has been streamed 885 million times - Moving Out, Mid West and the new single Holy Grail all explore the impact of change and leaving home.
In terms of change in the Newcastle music scene, The Act has been one of its most impressive developments.
Newcastle cinematographer Bailey Watts and audio engineer Clint Topic have created a gig experience that's truly immersive through its 360-degree stage and impeccable sound quality at Earp Distilling.
The Act isn't just a standard gig, and that's been clear from how the likes of Ball Park Music and Bliss N' Eso have responded to the intimate setting.
Last Sunday afternoon was Vacations' turn to experience The Act on the final stop on their Holy Grail World Tour, which included 13 predominantly sold-out shows across North America and South-east Asia.
It was Vacations' first hometown show in two years and a rare trip back for frontman Burns, who is based in New York.
The show's all-ages status was a nice touch that several parents took advantage of, including Vacations drummer Joey van Lier, whose baby daughter was among the audience.
In some inspired booking, Newcastle's recent Triple J Unearthed High winners Trophy Wyfe were given the honours of kicking off the afternoon.
If you haven't caught Rex Wardle (vocals, guitar), Tallis Kessell (drums) and Neve Scully (bass) live yet, do yourself a favour. These teenagers are going places and fast with an alternative sound that leans heavily on their parents' '90s CD collection.
For a 17-year-old, Wardle, who is in year 12 at Whitebridge High School, boasts serious charisma in the way he thrashes at his guitar and spits out lyrics with punkish glee.
Kessell and Scully hold it all together with minimal fuss.
Trophy Wyfe are one of the hardest-working bands in Newcastle, and the results are there on stage. Their first album was recently recorded, and anticipation will be high.
Later in the night, Vacations' bassist Jake Johnson said of Trophy Wyfe: "I feel they're already better than me, and I've got 20 years on them."
Sydney's Annie Hamilton was the middle section of the three-act bill but arguably the highlight.
I first caught Hamilton many moons ago playing guitar in Jack River's band, but she's no support player. She deserves centre stage.
Decked out in a black torn outfit complete with fallen angel's wings, Hamilton brought rock theatrics to Earp's barrel room.
Hamilton's sound blends '90s shoegaze, synth-pop and modern indie, topped with delicate harmonies.
Dynamite and Slut Era, from the album Stop and Smell The Lightning, were the highlights of an entertaining set.
For a homecoming show, the sparsely filled Earp Distilling was a disappointing result for Vacations.
Despite their US success, Vacations continue to be criminally underappreciated by Newcastle and Australia.
There are multiple theories as to why. Vacations don't fire up an audience with energetic riffs and beats, and their hooks are deceptively subtle.
It's more about the vibe, which is spaced out and chill. Burns' sometimes repetitive vocals and melodies only further accentuate the fact.
Vacations also don't bother with showmanship or theatrics. They let the songs speak for themselves.
However, the hardcore fans singing every word in the front row and the friends and family members in attendance were rewarded with an intimacy not usually delivered in a typical pub show.
The familiar faces obviously had the boys at ease, too. All four bantered with the crowd between songs.
Vacations are also professionally polished. Lead guitarist Nate Delizzotti in his Newcastle Jets shirt never overplayed his hand.
Rather, he splashed colour with tasteful guitar licks, while Johnson and van Lier kept the groove bubbling along.
Grace Freeman filled in on keyboards and backing vocals to round out the sound.
The set focused on Vacations' 2018 debut, Changes (Moving Out, Telephones, Honey, Soft), and their 2024 record No Place Like Home (title track, Next Exit, Mid West, Over You), as well as several unreleased songs from their fourth album Pursuit Of Anything, due in October.
Next Exit is probably Vacations' best pop single, and it soared as Burns delivered an inspired vocal.
Telephones was another highlight as the audience broke the "no mobiles" policy of The Act to turn on their lights and wave them in unison.
It capped off a sweet homecoming.
