Queens Of The Stone Age, Pond, Gut Health @ The Drive, Adelaide 13/2/2023
It was great to be back at Memorial Drive, now affectionately known as The Drive, with the first major concert to be played there in fifteen years with US rockers Queens Of The Stone Age playing an outstanding show to set the bar incredibly for all the other performers scheduled to play there over the coming months. The venue is a major win for music fans in Adelaide which will go a long way to securing more international acts for our great city as well as all the economic benefits that come from live music.
The Drive is a great venue in the heart of the city and no doubt some adjustments and tweaks will enhance the fan experience for future shows. That aside this was a seriously great show and I have been looking for something like this to bowl me over.
Tasmanian outfit Gut Health are an upcoming band that are full of promise and it is great that they got the opportunity to play on a bigger stage to a large crowd that was there early. Described as sonically daring, visually adventurous, hypnotic art-punk with a bizarre post-punk edge. Their energy and intensity was great to watch with set highlights Juvenile Retention and Inner Norm.
It has been ages since I have seen Perth psychedelic rockers Pond. For some they might be an acquired taste but I reckon they fit the bill perfectly. They definitely brought a different energy and vibe but still entertained and engaged the crowd. Singer Nick Allbrook has all the moves and his able to twist and contort his body like a rubber band (only to be that flexible!). Their set featured old and new starting with Daisy and America’s Cup then on to latest single Neon River and Spun. Human Touch was awesome going for a big finish with Paint Me Silver and Giant Tortoise.
Elite! Queens Of The Stone Age delivered in spades and their performance was truly exceptional. Even now on reflection I’m still blown away by what I experienced and hearing songs from In Times New Roman… which was one of the best albums to come out of 2023 was a real treat. Even Josh Homme reflected on this later in their show saying that everything that has been experienced has led them to this and being genuinely happy to be playing in his favourite city Adelaide which was not the mushrooms talking. The affinity between the band and their fans in this country is uber tight and that was blatantly obvious.
The set list was a little different from others on the tour offering something quite unique for Adelaidians. With a heroes like reception as they took the stage they powered through Smile and The Evil Has Landed then Paper Machete. When Josh Homme spoke, they listened, hanging off every word as he said “in my opinion, Adelaide is the best city, it’s an old school town, how are you? Shall we dance? It’s Friday night, let’s get loose”. I’m Designer was incredible as was the vocal solo to start to Smooth Sailing. The crowd was up and about and Homme acknowledged he was having a wonderful time… we all were.
Anthemic No One Knows stood boldly in the set, sublime and not forgetting the impact of Emotion Sickness and I Think I Lost My Headache. Absolute gold for any fan. Homme said that “you’re not the loudest crowd but I see your faces and you’re having a good time” adding that “love is not simple” playing I Sat By The Ocean. Carnavoyeur and The Way You Used To Do were electric and Villains of Circumstance and Made To Parade were great set list additions. Homme spoke of appreciating the moment after having nearly being killed four times even suggesting a night out with him will be one you’ll never remember and that he likes being part of your adventure, essentially saying make the most of the hour we’ve got.
The audience were excitable in the sing-a-long in Make It Wit Chu with Homme asking the faithful to bring it down a notch finishing with popular hit Little Sister. The encore was first class and the vibe really lifted as they played the first song from their debut album Regular John. Hells bells that was incredible. Were left to marvel in greatness watching the band attack Go With The Flow and A Song For The Dead with the later dedicated to Mark Lanegan. This was one for the ages and an all round great show. East Coast they are coming for you, don’t miss this tour.
Live Review By Rob Lyon