Good Things Festival is one of those events I look so forward to every year, I love the diversity of acts, the atmosphere and the chance to discover and see bands I haven’t had the chance to. My day did not start off great I have to admit. Personal events in the morning lead to me leaving home to head to Good Things about an hour and a half after I should have which caused me to miss the number one personal draw card of the day Bowling For Soup. I did give it my all to get there early and catch the guys but a shitty hand from Google maps and a ridiculous wait to park in the car park but you know you are doomed when you her your band come on as you are waiting to enter the car park. Even at the other end of Flemington Bowling for Soup sounded amazing and from everyone I spoke with they said they were simply that. I guess I now have to wait until this Thursday nights side show to see the guys in full flight.
By the time we got through the gate and to a stage I had missed the pit access for The Butterfly Effect so I didn’t get to shoot them. This was compensated with them delivering an amazing and engaging set. Captivating and again a band I’m looking forward to seeing early next year. Clint Boge is without doubt one of my favourite Australian frontmen, solo or in The Butterfly Effect his ability to deliver a killer set in any environment is amazing and today while I may not have caught a whole set what I did see in from turning up during ‘A Slow Decent’ sounded amazing ’One Second Of Insanity’ was huge and into ‘Nil By Mouth’ just had everyone at stage 3 bouncing.
I raced to the vicinity of stage 2 to catch the last three 311 songs. They are one of those bands that when I first heard I knew they had something really different and special about them. Their latest album “Full Bloom” is a great listen too. ‘Amber’, ‘Creatures’ and their breakthrough single ‘Down’ from their self titled album went over a treat. Frontman Nick Hexum has this essence of cool, nothing overstated but super engaging to watch. But the stand out on the stage was Doug “SA” Martinez who executed his rap parts with such precision. 311 were that perfect mix of summer day mellow vibes. When they were heavy they were had the crowd moving. A mix of new material with the hits was a great set. Great songs delivered well and such a good vibe that settled me in for the rest of the day.
Anytime I get to see The Living End I will move mountains and I was not missing them here today. Finally I was into the pit to shoot and as usual the guys did not disappoint. The instant crowd activator of ‘Second Solution’ was all it took for Flemington to have found its voice and the bounce to the crowd. “Roll On” continued the energy as the usual stage antics of Scott Owen and Chris Chaney came into play. We were all reminded why these guys have always been festival and live favourites. Personal favourite ‘End Of The World’ was an amazing inclusion to the set.
‘How Do We Know’ from “White Noise” sounded amazing as did the first taste of new material from The Living End in ‘Misery’ has me salivating at the new material ahead. I can’t wait to hear what these guys have in store for us all. The Living End are one of those bands that if they can’t get you fire up and having a blast no one can. I dragged myself away from The Living End and quickly dashed back to stages 3 & 4.
Alpha Wolf I caught the last 3 song of and they brought such an intensity to their set and the pit was wild and people were cascading over the front barrier, surfing the small sea of people that had crammed themselves in-front of stage 4. I hadn’t seen these guys in a few years and the growth within them as performers has been massive. The bands interaction and intensity with the crowd was huge and these guys I’m sure will be on the big stage soon. That pit was brutal.
If Frank Turner and The Sleeping Souls could back up what they delivered at their side show on Monday night. How would they go in an open space instead of a confined space that crammed and joined us all together. While the crowd a little light to start with by mid set the crowd had grown. Frank Turner and his band were the dynamic powerhouse I saw nights earlier again. With nothing left anywhere Turner has cast his spell, one that he does so well, he turned a crowd into a party and no one wanted to miss out. I can’t believe how he had escaped my radar as a live act.
Whether you wanted to interact or not the charm of his stage craft drew you in and you could help but sing dance and get involved. Turner was the only act aside from Korn that I watched a full set from. Simply superb and nothing will forever preach how good he and The Seeping Souls are live. Bring on the next tour. Backing up his performance with the same energy and having that incredible ability to tell a story Frank Turner has earned his place as one of the greatest writer/performers of this generation. Words I don’t spawn lightly.
Next up was Dragon. This was the first of a new look Dragon, with a new drummer and an absent Todd Hunter. Mark Williams in his presence and performance is more than enough to carry the torch so brightly for a band whose song book is just enormous. Unfortunately I only got in two songs before I had to dash off but the performances of “Speak No Evil” and “Are You Old Enough” were amazing, voices were loud and they sang the song that has been a part of our culture for four decades. As people from stages 1 & 2 came to be treated by the killer songbook they have. I heard from others that stayed that Dragon did what I knew they would do, touch the audience, connect and go down a treat.
I made my way to ensure that I would be able to catch Mastodon. Arriving a little earlier than I thought I would allowed me to see the last two and a half songs from Northlane who delivered their brand of metal core to a crowd that was lapping it up. The screens revealed an active pit and a great engagement. Seeing these guys on the big stage was an absolute treat and a well deserved slot.
Mastodon are a band that I have been itching to see for years. Their proggy, sludgy technical metal has been ear candy and a treat for me for years. I love their intricacies and live they were monstrous. Powerful, groovy and heavy. The band don’t have an ego, there is nothing that distracts from the music they play and the four members of the band simply deliver. However I must say the surprise addition of flames was incredible. It added to the hellfire and brimstone style of metal they play. I wish I could have stayed for the whole set but I had another band I needed to see at-least a couple of songs from.
The band L7; again a band I haven’t had the chance to experience live but needed to see. From the back of the crowd I caught ‘Bad Things’, the classic ‘Pretend We’re Dead’ was an all in great time and ‘The Beauty Process’. Again I wish I could have immersed myself in their set but sets and schedules wait for no one today.
It was back to stage 2 for Aussie rockers Jet. The band that shook Australian rock n roll up again twenty one years ago. With their glorious riffs and hooks they gave us hope that at the time rock n roll would become a staple of all our diets only to fade in less than a decade. Their return in 2016 was welcomed but didn’t produce any new musical fruits which was disappointing. Another return in 2023 is what has lead to this run of shows and more. However did the band deserve to be on the big stage today ?
That I’m not sure of, their set seemed to be a little lack lustre with guitarist Cameron Muncey looking absolutely bored on stage. Frontman Nic Cesner looked to have fun and bass player Mark Wilson was somewhat trying his best to raise the energy on stage. While the songs were performed well and all the hits had been played, I felt that these guys shouldn’t have been one of the main stages. I would have loved to have seen their set swapped with Kerry King’s as it would have better suited the energy up front.
I think this was my first mistake of the day in terms of who I put time into ensuring I photographed and I am disappointed that I didn’t get to catch the Gaslight Anthem’s set as a result.
After some food and a much needed drink stop it was time to head back down for the shows legacy act Violent Femmes. Much like Devo went understood and possibly unappreciated by the younger generations at last year’s good things there were a loyal and devoted mass of fans on hand to enjoy their set. When a band opens up with their most recognisable hit ‘Blister In The Sun’ in a slew of songs that are familiar and have a firm footing in alternative music culture they were the least engaging band of the day for me. Unlike Devo the year before a very plain stage presence made these tired legs want to rest, perhaps I got lost in the melancholy of the songs and performance. For the fans I’m sure it was an absolute treat.
For a moment I disengaged in the music and turned to the culture, people and visited stage 666 where the party was in full force with the Kill Your Idols Karaoke set. It has me singing and back in the rock n roll spirit of today. The band were amazing and this was so much fun, I would go check this out for something fun anytime.
This is where the day for me became incredibly tough it was the ultimate toss of the coin clash between Kerry King and Electric Callboy. For me this was the toughest decision I had to make. I took the new found spring in my step and decided to check out The Electric Callboy set and man what a band these guys are. A heavy, fierce, energetic set that had everyone back in their feet and the pit a hive of activity.
These German masters delivered the most fun set of the day. Flames, confetti, streamers and feel good industrial hinted dance tunes just made this show one you couldn’t turn away from. While I do have regret that I didn’t get to see Kerry King in what many called set of the day I had a, ball with Electric Callboy. My regret here is not catching the Mastadon and Kerry King side show.
Again clashes and distance made it hard to pick between Billy Corgan and the headliners Korn a tough choice. With tired legs that had done more steps than I think I did last year I decided on waiting for Korn and watching the magnificence that was the end of Electric Callboys set.
While stark in contrast to the show we had seen from Electric Callboy, Korn delivered a powerhouse set that left all of us in awe of their thirty year career. Musically and energy wise Korn are in a league of their own. They don’t need a big stage show with bells and whistles. The raw energy from the band is enough to take hold of you and engage you. The setlist was pretty much everything a fan could have hoped for. So much power came from the stage during their set, it’s hard to put into words. The energy of the band is just incredible and frontman Jonathan Davis is just captivating. His between song banter engaged you just as much as the music. They hit hard, they play hard and they demanded the focus of every person in attendance and they got it.
The pit was insane and the number of people coming over the barrier was fast and furious. It became so chaotic that as a photographer our three songs in the photo pit became two as the work of security retrieving those struggling in the crammed pit as well as those that had surfed their way to the front if not for fun for respite. As always it was safety first of those coming out and for us in the thick of it as the band played. With many needing some kind of medical attention, whether it be minor injuries of the toll of the hot and humid day on those that had given their all to the bands and Korn during the day. I spoke to one guy who said he made it to three rows from the front but had to tap out due to heat and exhaustion. He was advised the only way to get out from the packed like sardines pit was to come over the top.
Hearing 37000 people sing back these songs that I still can’t believe are in some cases to the band was incredible and the encore was a trifecta of massive tunes “Falling Away From Me”.
The unfortunate withdrawal of Sum 41 did leave a hole in the line up as they would have been a continuation to the party that was Electric Callboy who in my opinion were the biggest surprise and biggest party today. Frank Turner was the stand out act delivering a mind-blowing set. Korn were all class and showed that they don’t need elaborate bells and whistles set to deliver a killer, powerful set, one that you won’t forget easily. A rearrangement of the timetable was handled the best it could be on such short notice. The clashes were a minor inconvenience but overall if you were willing to do the steps you could have seen every band in the bill. It is a huge day. I love the energy and variety of the day.
In a nutshell the Australian presence on the bill should make us all proud of who we are and the music we produce regardless of genre. Every Australian band earned their spot, upcoming or established. While I may not agree with the placement in the timetable of a couple that’s a personal thing and nothing to do with the bands or amazing team at Destroy All Lines who undertook yet another mammoth task and day did it with ease, precision and perfect execution. It’s a huge undertaking that only a class act can do. Thank you for putting this show on.
Next year I hope the evolution of some of these bands puts them into main stage contention. Those that stepped up gave it everything they had and received the fruits for their efforts..
Who ever says festivals are dying in Australia is wrong. Today there was such a huge teen and twenty something presence and that was great to see. It was an education in music in many ways the young showing the older how it’s done now. My vintage showing the young that we can still do it and do it just as well.
Bring on Good Things 2025.
With special thanks to Destroy All Lines and to Janine Morcos form Dallas Does PR for the media access.
Photos by Shot By Slaidins Photography
Dragon
Electric Callboy
Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls
Jet
Korn
Mastodon
The Living End
Violent Femmes
