Enter Shikari, grandson, Friends Of Friends @ Hindley Street Music Hall, Adelaide 16/5/2026
Elite! Definitely the pick of the bunch on the weekend withy a triumphant return to Adelaide. With the paint barely dry on Enter Shikari’s new album LOSE YOUR SELF they in Australia for another huge tour with a stacked line up including grandson and Friends Of Friends. How they kept the new album under wraps for so long is a modern day miracle and it was great that there was a healthy selection of tunes from it. The following is building for Enter Shikari in Adelaide with many catching on about how good this genre bending rock outfit are.
Brisbanites Friends Of Friends are thriving on their unique brand of genre-defying music that is built on contrast, raw yet atmospheric, beautiful yet chaotic, emotionally unfiltered yet sonically bold. They are one of those bands that are making all the right noises and are quietly building here and broad. That said, it looked tough going early trying to win this crowd over but they pushed on valiantly making the most of their thirty minute slot including their uber catchy I Like Ya.
Grandson (styled as grandson) is the stage moniker for Jordan Edward Benjamin, a Canadian-American alternative rock and hip-hop musician who has gained notoriety with his genre blending sound incorporating elements of industrial grunge, EDM, and rap combined with politically charged lyrics that tackle the big issues of corporate greed, mental health and local issues including saving Possum Park at the expense of tearing down trees for a gold course. It was clear that he had his own supporter base here who responded in a big way. Their set was turbo charged going full throttle start to end upping the ante and leaving nothing on the table. Like them or not you have to be in awe in the way they go about it with Jordan having such a commanding and engaging stage presence. Set highlights included Bob Dylan cover Masters Of War plus set staples Blood // Water, Brainrot, Self Immolation and We Did It!!!
Enter Shikari! What a return to Adelaide and it’s hard to believe that the last time I saw them was back in 2010 at Fowlers Live. Anticipation and excitement was evident and it is was like this much loved band brought a stadium rock show to the more intimate surrounds of Hindley Street Music Hall. Going for a minimalist sound and production actually felt much bigger and expansive. There was a genuine excitement for the new material with the title track LOSE YOUR SELF setting the tone early for what was to come. Matching the vibe of the opener they slipped seamlessly in to Labyrinth. Front man Rou Reynolds didn’t have much to say after cheekily saying “Hello Darlings” before ploughing through (pls) set me on fire and Undercover Agents.
Their set moved with great pace with The Void Stares Back and The Flick of a Switch I and the crowd was going off. “Time for a golden oldie,” pulling out a crowd favourite Sorry, You’re Not a Winner. Good times! Each song was met with such enthusiasm with the crowd reaction akin to winning the lottery. Rabble Rouser, the pressure’s on. and Find Out The Hard Way… there were no dub moments in this eighty minute set. Absolute genius how they constructed this set list and kept it enthralling holding everyone’s complete attention. Drummer Rob Wolfe added some light hearted humour talking about the Botanic Gardens and the “bin chicken” referring to the native Ibis and not forgetting the “emergency cucumber” on stage.
There was still plenty more fire power to come with Quelle Surprise, The Last Garrison, The Paddington Frisk, it’s OK and closing the main set on { The Dreamer’s Hotel }. The crowd chanted for one more and they got it with the band returner with another banger Juggernauts. Incredible! This was the complete performance and if this is not enough to get you there I don’t know what will. Time for a Panadol and a lay down.
Live Review By Rob Lyon