Hot Water Music, The Flatliners, Something Something Explosion @ The Gov, Adelaide 20/2/2025
Sometimes the best gigs aren’t those that have all the fancy fanfare and all the trimmings of a big scale production but those where the bands get on stage, play their songs well, pour their heart and soul in to it, rock out and go home. Well, this is one of those gigs. This was a great night out giving fans plenty of value for money.
First up was Melbourne rock trio Something Something Explosion. Definitely one of those bands leading up to this tour I knew absolutely nothing about but one I will looking more in to post show. Great opportunity opening for these two highly respected bands, they definitely have something that held my attention. Set highlights included the likes of 3AM, Motor Mouth, Explosion and a ripping cover of Joan Jett’s Bad Reputation.
The Flatliners wasted no time at all making up for nearly six and half years since their last tour here in Adelaide. They went full throttle start to end much to the appreciation of fans who moved up a lot closer to be close to the action. First salvo fired was Productive Hours lifting the collective energy of the fans who responded by jumping, singing and showing their appreciation. That intensity carried on through Hang My Head and Oath. By this stage The Flatliners were firing on all fours. Singer and guitarist Chris Creswell would occasionally ask the crowd “how are you feeling” taking a moment to show gratitude for this “nice reunion” compared to being back in Canada “which is covered in snow”.
The songs kept coming with the likes of Count Your Bruises, Sew My Mouth Shut, Indoors and Bury Me. Rat King took on much deeper meaning with Creswell saying “this is an anti-racist song for anti-racist people”. Leaving Adelaide with the statement “we are The Flatliners, we’ll always love you” finishing on the anthemic Eulogy. Let’s hope that a return visit is much sooner.
Hot Water Music is another one of those bands that have been on my tick off list for quite some time and finally that moment was now. This was one of those shows where you simply had to be there and enjoy it as if it was going to be their last time here. It was a tradesman like performance that was intense, spirited, emotional and compelling. I definitely feel like it was a journey and when you watch the passion that front man Chuck Ragan sings and plays you can’t help not be in awe with what has been experienced. With Ragan saying “it’s been far to long” the band launched right in to Menace.
It was all about the music with Ragan keeping his spoken words to a minimum. Flight And A Crash, Jack Of All Trades and the song about fighting the good fight Habitual followed. Lyrically there’s plenty in these songs that tell a story and played live carries so much more weight. It was awesome to see Chris Creswell “pulling a double shift” playing in Hot Water Music. New album Vows was very much part of the set list and After The Impossible was magnificent albeit missing Dallas Green of City & Colour. The dynamic between Ragan and Creswell on “Burn Forever” was stellar bringing the crowd in to it on State Of Grace taking a nod to their past on At The End Of A Gun.
Mainline, Difference Engine, I Was On Mountain and the big sing-a-long moment in Wayfarer were standouts not forgetting Turnstile that inspired the band of the same name. Ragan said that he was “forever grateful for the opportunity to be far, far, away from home with like minded people”. The crowd responded and showed their appreciation of this much loved band.
The intensity of their performance did not dip one iota knocking over Free Radio Gainesville, Much Love and Remedy. With one last thank you and Ragan saying “take care of yourselves and each other, thanks for coming” before finishing on Trusty Chords. Ragan was literally pulled off stage with fans showing their appreciation with hugs and handshakes acknowledging a great show and a promise of sorts to come back soon.
Live Review By Rob Lyon