MELROSE AVENUE: From Sydney Streets to International Stages

Photography by: @concertsbyjasmin

This story follows Melrose Avenue, a pop-metal band from Sydney, Australia, formed in 2021 by Vlado Saric (vocalist) and Shawn Mayer (guitarist, producer, and supporting vocalist). The band came together just five years after Vlado’s debut as a contestant on Season 8 of The X Factor Australia, where he finished third among twelve finalists. Only 17 at the time, Vlado quickly became an audience favourite thanks to his impressive vocal range. Although he didn’t take home first place, he never let that stop him from pursuing his dream. In the years that followed, Vlado recorded pop-metal covers and collaborated with other artists before teaming up with Shawn to form what would become Melrose Avenue — named after the street where Vlado grew up and first began singing.

Since forming in 2021, the band has welcomed two additional members: Mitchell Black (guitarist) and Jed McIntosh (drummer). Together, they’ve made waves in the Australian music scene for their powerhouse vocals, catchy lyrics, and blend of heavy and melodic pop tones. Their sound draws inspiration from bands such as Bring Me The Horizon, Dayseeker, Beartooth, and A Day To Remember.

Melrose Avenue has released multiple hit singles, quickly earning hundreds of thousands of monthly listeners across streaming platforms. The tracks that gained the most traction were “Fool and The Beggar” and “Suffering,” both of which the band creatively self-promoted to expand their reach.

Already known for his humorous TikTok and Instagram videos — often featuring his cat — Vlado used his social media presence to spotlight the band’s music through fun, engaging clips. This self-promotional approach helped Melrose Avenue connect with fans on a personal level and build an international following almost overnight. Before long, they were attracting the attention of record labels.

In October 2024, Melrose Avenue signed with Hopeless Records, a label founded in 1993 and home to acts like Avenged Sevenfold, Sum 41, and The Used. Having grown up listening to many Hopeless Records artists, the signing marked a major milestone for the band.

They kicked off 2025 with two singles — “Body Bag” and “Reflections” — showcasing an upgraded sound and hinting at heavier elements in future releases. On May 22, they dropped their first collaborative single under Hopeless Records, “24Seven” with Comastatic, followed by “Black Heart” featuring Ekoh on July 31, further broadening their audience within the genre.

On April 18, the band announced their first-ever international tour across North America, opening for Ice Nine Kills and The Word Alive. From Vlado posting a vocal cover of Ice Nine Kills’ “Hip To Be Scared” in 2023 to sharing the stage with them two years later, it was clear Melrose Avenue had finally broken through the walls of the industry. During the tour, they met hundreds of supporters — many singing along word-for-word — turning a long-time dream into reality for the Aussie band.

🎵 Watch Vlado Saric’s cover of “Hip To Be Scared” by Ice Nine Kills: https://www.tiktok.com/@melroseavenue_/video/7259286080967544065

Fast forward to today — Melrose Avenue has successfully completed their first North American tour, gaining over 20,000 new Instagram followers along the way. Riding that wave of success, the band is gearing up for an even bigger chapter ahead.

They’ve been kicking things off with a series of Australian tour dates this week, giving local fans a chance to experience their electrifying live show firsthand. From there, the band will head overseas for an extensive UK and Europe tour alongside fellow Hopeless Records labelmates Comastatic, further expanding their rapidly growing international following.

Then, in April 2026, Melrose Avenue will make their anticipated return to North America, performing across multiple major cities and reconnecting with the fans who helped fuel their global rise.

What began on a small Sydney street has grown into an international success story. Four years of hard work and unwavering dedication have brought Melrose Avenue to where they are today — on the road to the recognition and success they truly deserve.

You can listen to Melrose Avenue on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and YouTube Music, and follow them on social media for updates on new releases and upcoming tours. Instagram:

@melroseavenueband

@melr0se_avenue

@redddcurl@mitchellblack11

@jed.mcintosh

TikTok:

@melroseavenueband_

@melroseavenue_

@redddcurl

@mitchellblack11

@jed.mcintosh