The Temper Trap Returns with Powerful 'Giving Up Air' Performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!

It's been a fascinating journey for The Temper Trap. The Australian alternative rock group exploded onto the scene in the late 2000s with "Sweet Disposition," propelled by its feature in 500 Days of Summer and the captivating falsetto of frontman Dougy Mandagi.

At home, the band has celebrated ARIA Awards and consecutive chart-topping albums (2012's The Temper Trap and 2016's Thick as Thieves), navigated lineup changes (guitarist Lorenzo Sillitto departed in 2013), and even headlined stadium events, including the 2012 AFL Grand Final halftime show.

On January 20th, the Melbourne band graced Jimmy Kimmel Live!, offering a vibrant performance for fans who have eagerly awaited their return.

Performing their latest single, "Giving Up Air," Mandagi reaffirmed his vocal prowess and the band's enduring musical chemistry.

The performance was visually enhanced by footage of a car speeding down a winding road, perhaps a symbolic representation of the band's own journey.

"Giving Up Air" delves into the depths of grief, with Mandagi singing about the weight of loss and the search for hope amidst sorrow: "Givin’ up air, layin’ it bare / Hoping my dreams will reappear / When everything I know is hanging on a prayer.”

Produced by Grammy-nominated Styalz Fuego (known for his work with Troye Sivan, Charli XCX, The Knocks, and Khalid), "Giving Up Air" was released in 2025, following their comeback track "Lucky Dimes" - The Temper Trap's first release after a nine-year hiatus.

Mandagi explains the song's significance: "It’s a very important song for me about a life-changing moment and the unimaginable pain of losing a loved one in tragic circumstances, from the initial shock to sorrow and then anger, and finding glimmers of hope somewhere in between. Some of you may recognize it. It was written for my solo project Bloodmoon but the boys and I started working on it as The Temper Trap and it felt magical, like it had found its true home.”

The Temper Trap embarked on a series of headline shows in Australia last year, followed by North American dates in New York, Los Angeles, and Toronto.

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