Better Lovers, Split Chain, Blind Girls, Hammer 618 @ Lion Arts Factory, Adelaide 30/1/2026
After a forty degree day in sunny Adelaide you could feel the oppressive heat right from the entrance to Lion Arts Factory and right at this point I knew it was going to take a herculean effort to get through it especially with backing up for Froth & Fury Fest the next day. Name of the game was staying hydrated as I have been here many times before when it was hot but this was next level. But that said, it is what you make it and all things considered, it was a solid crowd that turned up for a stacked line up headlined by Better Lovers and joined by Split Chain, Blind Girls and Hammer618.
Adelaide hardcore out Hammer618 came out firing and literally taking a step in to the cauldron. It seemed like they had their own cheer quad out to see them. Definitely a band to keep an eye on as they have built quite a collection of singles already in the armoury. They were relentless ripping through N.F.N.C, ALONE and their anthem SIX ONE EIGHT. The inflatable hammer thrown out in to crowd to rev up the crowd was cool. Impressive set finishing on some of their bigger singles including KING OF THA PIT, BANISHED and ACT OF VIOLENCE.
Brisbane’s Blind Girls are an interesting proposition. Literally finishing sound checking moments before starting their set there was little fanfare just getting right in to. Described as predominantly screamo you can hear elements of hardcore and maybe even mathcore. Singer Sharni Brouwer has some serious pipes laying down a fair or mighty scream which seems punishing and quite taxing. Not big on the small talk there was not much by way of engagement with the crowd letting the music do the talking. Set highlights include Dissonance and Loveless.
Bristol outfit Split Chain were awesome offering some contrast to the other bands on offer with their brand of Shoegaze, Grunge and Nu-Metal. They looked absolutely genuinely excited to be here in Adelaide even though it is “hot as fuck, we’re sweating our dicks off up here”. Vocalist Bert Martínez-Cowles seemed blown away by how far away from home they are that “it’s mental”. Probably his only mistake was wearing a long sleeve shirt even suggesting that “who would have thought that Adelaide is the place”. Adelaide loved them winning over a heap of new fans in the process as well with a turbo charged set list knocking over Fade, Bored and bored. tired. torn. early. If there is any band we want to come back sooner rather than later is these guys. Chalk, who am i? and I’m Not Dying To Be Here were absolute winners.
The fans looked hot, sweaty and exhausted but still had plenty in reserve for Better Lovers and what a way to set the tone walking on to Phil Collin’s Easy Lover keeping that “Lover” theme going on the likes of All You Need Is Love, Love In An Elevator and Power Of Love to mention a few. Being the last show of the tour front man Greg Puciato wins everyone over early saying “I couldn’t think of a better place with better people”. From there, it was on. Rampaging is the only way to describe the opener A White Horse Covered In Blood. Also seeing former members from the band Every Time I Die is not lost on this crowd either with what unfolded over the next sixty minutes.
There was barely a moment to catch your breath as the songs kept coming with Drowning in a Burning World, Superman Died Paralyzed, Superman Died Paralyzed, Two Alive Amongst the Dead and Become So Small. Feeling like “rotisserie chickens” they didn’t leave anything to spare going full bore for the entire set. With no barrier at the front it was perfect for the fans to be that close having their sweat drip on them. Puciato was incredible and I wish I had ten percent of his energy.
There were some absolute gems in the set with Don’t Forget To Say Please, Future Myopia, The Impossible End and set finishes Lie Between the Lines and 30 Under 13. To those who didn’t go, you really did miss a great serving as the perfect lead in to Froth & Fury Fest despite the oppressive conditions. Now to cool off outside!
Live Review By Rob Lyon