The seven-deep King Gizz contingent stood in near-single file formation across the front of the fabled Tote stage, presenting a formidable frontline in a battle that they had already won.
While the Sunday show wasn’t an overly raucous affair, the populace lads put on a flawless display of their brazen garage rock. I’ve seen the band many times in the past year and this instance was the most impressive. With the benefit of latest LP 12 Bar Bruise and EP of last year Willoughby’s Beach, the band manage to pull off headline duties with the manner of seasoned veterans. Opening with the jaunty title track from their debut album, Gizz burned through a tasty selection of new and old. The cry of “Just because I like you / Doesn’t mean I like you” from the EP title track manages to raise a fist pump each and every time. A menacing Reatards cover was thrown into the mix as frontman Stu dangled from bandroom ceiling.
All too soon, King Gizzard And The Lizard Wizard played their final song for the night. “Fuck, that was a short set,” I thought to myself. My timepiece, however, informed me that the lads had nearly clocked up around an hour onstage. I wanted more, dammit.
Earlier in the night marked the first occasion that I witnessed venerable Melbourne rock stalwarts The Meanies in the live setting. I was most impressed with frontman Link Meanies’ ability to tap an endless vein of mucus to pull off a series of bushman’s blows, one of which shot a missile all over the two punters standing immediately in front of me. Nasty. Regardless, it was a sick display of classic punk fury.
BY LACHLAN KANONIUK
Photo credit: Anna Kinci
LOVED: A lovely way to cap off the weekend.
HATED: Monday morning.
DRANK: Beers. Some big, some little.
