Froth & Fury Fest @ Adelaide Showgrounds, Wayville SA 31/1/2026

I never thought I’d enjoy a five year old birthday party as much as this. Sure, there was split ice cream, but there was plenty of musical chairs, singing and a little bit of vomit too. It’s Froth & Fury’s fifth year and it’s the biggest yet.

Located on the Adelaide Showgrounds, the line up is stacked with killer bands, fun events and all the drinks you can throw down with.

The set up is nicely circular, from the merch desk to the compound stage then out to the main arena and back to the merch. On a humid day, the indoor compound stage is king.

After last weeks first ever strike from Perth’s set up, Adelaide fires back early with Broken Loose and Control The Sun opening the days events.

In between bands, Adelaide had roller derby events, featuring many of SA’s representatives at the recent world championships, people dressed in armour jousting with each other and even a wrestling ring. If your daredevil spirit takes over, there was even a few fairground attractions to blow the wind through your hair.

Over at the compound, space becomes tight for the prodigal sons themselves, Double Dragon, to reappear after a decade to a thunderous reception and one the bands punters talk about for the rest of the day.

Talking of the punters, plenty of familiar faces greeting each other with beaming smiles, clinking drinks and enjoying the merriment that the relaxed environment produces. Not all metal heads are angry after all.

The merch lines are efficient and queues not too long – unlike some of our East Coast festivals – the tattoos are running briskly, and the genius that decided to sell hand held fans will be rolling in the money today.

If you purchased one of the festivals Amplified VIP tickets you are treated to a devine air conditioned room, a goodie bag, your own queues at the merch and bar and designated area to watch bands. Well worth the extra moolah.

The festival has grown year on year, this the biggest yet and while virtually selling out, the organisers have had enough wherewithal to make sure you don’t waste your day waiting for food, drinks, merch and the all important toilets.

There are always bands playing and if you do venture out into the sun, you’ll be treated to seeing a giant pink dinosaur chase after a giant banana in Diesect circle pit.

Gridiron are hugely anticipated and deliver, Archspire’s comedy routine with bits of music weaved in loved and Nailbomb complete their first ever Australian tour with a highly energetic, interactive combustible set.

In Hearts Wake bring their heaviest of sets and set the tone as the dusk falls that from this point out, only one hundred percent commitment will do from everyone.

Soulfly becomes a giant party with guests by the dozen, grooves aplenty and hoarse voices all around before Polaris finish a hugely successful day in a sea of beach balls, flames and neck snapping breakdowns.

All in all, another fantastic day in the South Australian heavy music calendar that has set the bar for all heavy festivals across the country about how to run a festival that thinks of its fan’s enjoyment first.

Now to bathe in some Aloe Vera for the next week, buy some lozenges for a croaking voice and start thinking of how epic next years Forth & Fury Festival will be.

Live Review By Iain McCallum