170 Russell, Melbourne – September 29
Supports: Anti Flag, Local Resident Failure
Kicking into the first set of the evening with Fuck White Pride, Newcastle punks Local Resident Failure had the crowd moving as the venue filled with fans in anticipation to last night’s second Melbourne show at 170 Russell.
Tearing through their political set with ‘Everyday’s a Holiday on Christmas Island’, LRF had the audience screaming along to lyrics “I don’t ever wanna grow up!” before bringing their energetic set to an end with ‘Where The Bloody Hell Are Ya?’
Progressing excitedly with Anti Flag coming to the stage and opening with ‘I’ll Tell You Anything But’, the Pennsylvanian group had a promising setlist aligned as the crowd bounced along to ‘Fuck Police Brutality’, ‘Skies are Falling’ and ‘Favourite World’ before getting the circle pit running at ‘Fast Machine’. Holding conversation throughout their set, Anti Flag engaged with the crowd as they spoke passionately about some political issues.
Moving through the evening, they rocked into ‘Brandenburg Gate’ off their latest album, American Spring and continued with older favourites, ‘1 Trillion Dollar$’, and ‘The End’ before moving musical instruments into the crowd so that Pat and bassist, Chris Barker, could join in on the fun.
Fans went wild as Anti Flag brought the evening to a close with ‘Die For Your Government’ and half of the band rocked out within the audience.. Being the first chance I’d had to catch these punk rockers live, I wasn’t going to hesitate on the sidelines and had an insanely great experience engaged within the pit.
Headlining the evening for their 20th anniversary tour of their album, About Time, were Californian hardcore punks, Pennywise. The guys were cool as they ripped straight into the familiar album with ‘Peaceful Day’ and got the audience roaring within the first opening songs.
Relating ‘Perfect People’ to ex Aussie PM, Tony Abbott, fans gave a positive response while continuing to mosh over the slippery and saturated floor.
Crowd surfers flowed above the circling pit and Pennywise charged through other popular songs among their setlist that followed the 1995 album. Along with the one single produced from the About Time album, ‘Same Old Story’, ‘Society’ ignited another spark and the show continued at high speed before ending seemingly all too quickly.
Finishing with a dedication to Pennywise’s late bassist Justin Thirsk, who’d died a year after the release of About Time in 96, was ‘Bro Hymn’ (tribute).
The roaring chorus filled the venue and crowd surfers went on across the tops of those screaming in unison with the band to the “oh, oh wo ohs”… and hoping for an encore but being thankful for the show we’d all received as the sweaty fans spilled back out onto the street after witnessing an insanely memorable anniversary gig.
If you’re into punk and hardcore and able to get along to one of the upcoming shows left on the tour, you’d be stupid to miss such an opportunity! Check out your local gig guide and get amongst this heartfelt tour! When seeing Pennywise live, it’s like every time is as great as the first time.
Reviewed by Mikaelie Evans
Photo: Kane Hibberd
