Good Things Festival 2024

[_Cerberus_]

I figured the music thread needs a little bit more love. And what a good time to now, with the Aussie music festival season well underway. Last night was Good Things, which is now Australias premier rock festival. Which kicked off last night in Melbourne. With Sydney tonight, and Brisbane tomorrow. Below is the line up, but unfortunately co headliners Sum 41 had to pull out at the last minute due to an illness, in what was meant to be their last ever shows in Australia. Whilst not as strong a line up as previous years, it still produced.

I will post my experience of the day in the next post. But who else went this year? How was your experience?

 

[_Cerberus_]

Having been to the previous three editions, I was keen to make it four, with the 2024 addition now looming. Unfortunately in the days leading up to the festival. Sum 41 on their last ever Australian tour had to cancel due to illness. Naturally I was disappointed as I was keen to catch them one last time. Hopefully they are able to squeeze in an Australian leg next year.

The day had finally arrived. Good Things 2024 in Melbourne. Sadly I had to work the previous night in a night club in the city, followed by an hour and 40 minute drive home. So I was looking at a lucky 4 hours sleep before I had to leave. My first target was to catch Bowling For Soup at 1:20pm. I saw them at Soundwave a few years back, but their already short 30 minute set, only ended up being like 10 minutes or something, due to technical errors. But for some reason I could not sleep, and I was forced to keep pushing time out in the hope of getting anything at all, which was a measly 1.5 hour nap.

Bummed to have missed Bowling For Soup, I finally arrived at Flemington Racecourse at 3:00pm, two hours later than I usually do. First item on my line up? The Portaloo. If there is one thing I learned about Festivals, is that if you want to keep a good spot near the stage. You need to stand there for hours. The urge to piss is not an option here. I made my way to the stages, and saw The Living End, who as usual are timeless on the music scene here in Australia. They smashed through their set, and closed it off with the ever popular Prisoner Of Society.

I desperately wanted to go and see Frank Turner, given the things I have heard about him. And he seems to associate with a fair few of my favorite artists over the years. But at the end of the Living End, I made it my goal to see if it was possible to get up front first given the depth of the crowd was way more for the same time frame, compared to previous editions. I was shocked at the gaps, and how easy it was to walk through the crowd. I actually ended up one out from the barrier. There was no way I could leave and get back here again, after all. KoRn was who I was there for number one.

By all accounts, Frank Turner was really good. But the thing about festivals, is that you some times have to make sacrifices. Especially when there are clashes between bands. Whilst waiting up front, I saw a familiar face I had not seen in years. So they ended up being my companion for the rest of the day, given I normally go at it alone. Next up on the bill was Northlane. Funny enough, despite going to music Festivals all the way back to when System Of A Down graced the stage at Soundwave, and the fact Northlane are often a part of the line ups here. I had yet to see them live once. They were on the opposite stage, but still put on a solid set. It was one for their fans.

Next up in front of me was Mastodon. Another band I had yet to see live. Even if I am not the biggest fan, I still like crossing off popular bands that I have yet to see. To add to my ever growing list of seeing 150 live acts, and 200 plus different bands to date. As with most metal acts, the guitars did the talking. Running hot, along with the flames shooting up from the stage. Sadly the sound tech did a poor job, as you could barely here the vocalist. Which was an issue for a few of the acts that day apparently.

Next up was Jet, another Australian band that are still performing today. In fact, have even released a new album apparently. Whilst not familiar with a bit of their set, they did bring out a few of their classics which everyone knows. With some catchy sounds, especially from the bass.

Violent Femmes were next. I think people forget how long these guys have been around for. Forming way back in 1980. For those who are only familiar with their biggest hit, Blister In The Sun. Would have been surprised at how much more slow paced, and folk like these guys. Though some of their lyrics are described as "punk", sound wise they are very much a folk band. There was an ever ranging collection of different musical instruments on stage, displaying their wide variety of sounds and backing members. The stormed through the opening song, which was indeed Blister In The Sun, before settling in and producing a very different, yet still nice show for the crowd. Debatable whether their style fits in with Good Things, and they seemed like super lovely people. Almost like your high school music teacher vibes.

By now I was wet as from the rain, my hair was stuffed so my plans of popping into work for free drinks post show was now cancelled. And the crowd was anxious with a thunderstorm warning looming over our heads. Given Sydney had to close and cancel the last hour of the show last year due to lightning. Thankfully the only electricity in the area, was over on the opposite stage. As Electric Callboy, who had been moved into Sum 41s original spot. Blew the crowd away with a unique style of electro metal. The Europeans are known for having some crazy genre mash ups, or odd electro artists.

I have an European friend that I have gamed with, and he sometimes sends me links to random European acts. One of them was Tekkno Train - Electric Callboy. Whom I had forgotten all about. Until my friend I was with, gave me a little back ground on then, and how they are quite popular, and that he had seen them a few times, and that they never disappoint. Suddenly it was like DING, I realized this is the group my friend from Europe showed me. So was now super keen on them.

And they were good. Whilst they will not be everyone's cup of tea. And interesting blend of metal, combined with electronic backing, is actually a blend that works well. Pushing through their set with a lot of noise and energy, the members also found time for a bit of comedy, and costume changes a long the way. Definitely lived up to the billing off those European artists with an interesting personality. My friend sang through every song like a true fan, whilst I was busy absorbing it all.

Whilst waiting for KoRn, I was looking around when the guitar tech threw three picks in my direction. Three hit me and bounced off my body. The first landed on my foot. I was too busy looking at it wondering what had just happened, when some guy snatched it off my foot as I went to grab it. The second then came and bounced off my shoulder and back into the crowd. When the third hit me, I wondered if I was merely target practice. Once again at my foot, I was excited to grab it. But the same guy snatched it fast just as my hand got close. And I was like "dude, you have two. Can I please have one?", he gave me the most rudest "no" ever. Was bummed as I just missed out on an item to one of the two guitarists, who are my guitar idols.

And finally. KoRn were next. These guys have been in my top 3 bands for my entire life. During the set up, I was able to admire how freaking gorgeous their Ibanez guitars looked. Which is exactly why my own Ibanez 7 string guitar is my favorite one out of all of them. It was inspired by Head and Munky, the two guitarists from KoRn, who I still feel are a little underrated by some. I first saw them at Soundwave, and I was right on the barrier for that one. Managed to catch a stick thrown by Ray the drummer into the crowd. I know they say white men can't jump, but damn did I jump that day. Sadly the sound was terrible, and everything crackly. They made up for it with an epic show at Download Festival just before Covid, but I was a bit deeper in the crowd, and had to leave half way though due to a clash with another fav band in NOFX.

KoRn hit the stage, and came out hard straight away with Here To Stay. Smashing through a few favorites early on, such as A.D.I.D.A.S, Got The Life, etc. Given Jonathan Davis needs short breaks between songs for oxygen, the other members kept those gaps filled by playing randomly and loudly to keep the crowd on their feet. I was happy as to see them play a few songs that I had not seen live previously. And I wondered how the deaf translator was even able to keep up and translate/sign the lyrics to Twist.

Blind, one of the legendary openings of any song. And one of my favorites to learn and play on guitar. Really blew the crowd away. The guitars were just, ughhhh! Amazing!

The Bagpipes made an appearance for the song Shoots And Ladders. As KoRn continued a strong set list filled with their best songs. Given they have a fair few quality songs, some indeed did not make an appearance, but I was not complaining. I was loving every minute of it so far. I was right up close, wet, with my poncho now torn in two. Dodging crowd surfers and even people surfing in their wheelchairs. With only 5-6 scheduled minutes left, KoRn went off stage. Teasing us before the encore. I was wondering which lone song would they play to close it if they only had 5 minutes left? And they still had a couple of their biggest songs yet to be played. But in true KoRn style, they came out for another 15 plus minutes instead. Closing out with some songs that included one of my favorites in Falling Away From Me, and ending the show with Freak On A Leash.

The band members graced the stage for a while, clearly feeling the love between them and the crowd. Whilst throwing a generous amount of sticks and picks in there. Sadly none came by way, but I didn't care. That show was....? AWESOME! Makes me wish today's music wasn't killed off by streaming. Miss the days of music videos, buying hard copies of albums. Sadly bands don't make money no more, music video is dead, streaming companies steal from artists. It just hasn't been the same since the 90's to 2000's.

I said goodbye to the friend and stayed at the stage for awhile post show, as I normally do. Just taking time along to soak in the experience, appreciating life, and scouting the grounds for any missed picks etc. Grabbed an expensive van made donut and slushie post shows. But people forgot how good they are compared to store bought donuts, and 7/11 slurpees. Was worth every cent. I got lost walking back to my car, as I missed one street. But again, it was just another adventure to me. The drive home was long. In part it made me sad, because there is not enough moments like these in life. I didn't play music, as I have this off self rule of making sure the songs I heard that day, were the only ones I do. I wanted to keep those memories fresh. The same reason I may not play KoRn songs for a week or few afterwards as well.

And with that, ends my experience of Good Things 2024. I think my neighbors will be thankful not to have to hear me play Blind - KoRn full blast on my day off, as is custom on many Sundays. ARE YOUUU READDYYYYYY??? Was when you knew s**t was about to get real in my household for the next couple of hours.

 

[00Stinger]

I went to last years in Melbourne and decided to fly up and go to the Sydney one this year

Weather was ****ed, show was pretty good but prefer the Melbourne venue

 

[_Cerberus_]

I went to last years in Melbourne and decided to fly up and go to the Sydney one this year

Weather was ****ed, show was pretty good but prefer the Melbourne venue

Yeah I was a bit wet at the Melbourne one, and then I saw pictures of the Sydney event and they had it much worse. Loved the clip of the crowd "rowing" on the wet ground haha.

Brisbane venue looked nice. Melbournes looked more wide open and spacious.

 

[No Quarter]

Had a good time

Don't remember a whole lot

Violet Femmes lol... they play their biggest hit first then hardly anyone knows anything else they play.

Living End sounded epic

Electric Callboy despite knowing nothing about them, sounded awesome