La Dispute, Special Features, With One Exception @ The Gov, Adelaide 21/10/2026
It is fair to say that some of the tours that have passed through Adelaide have been nothing short of incredible but one that will go down as on of the all time classics is La Dispute. It was of no surprise either that it was a full house. Riding high after the release of last year’s No One Was Driving The Car the energy and intensity in The Gov was next level. There is definitely something wonderous about post hardcore music particularly when it is done so brilliantly well like what we experienced. The sense of community and feeling a part of something adds to the vibe of the show, the fans knew it and felt it and so did the band.
The supports gave a subtle contrast and offered these up and coming bands a really good opportunity to showcase their wares in front of much bigger crowds. Adelaide’s With One Exception are fast rising and rapidly gaining momentum as one of those bands to be keeping an eye out on. Stradling the emoviolence and screamo genre’s their music is described as ‘intricate, chaotic and emotional’. Notable highlights from their set include the likes of Your Face In Grey, Premonition Knots, How Many Locust Constitutes A Plague? and I Guess It’s Not A Headache.
Brisbane alt-rockers Special Features are definitely an emerging talent who proved why they got second billing. They make all the right noises with their brand gritty grunge and indie rock that really captivates and holds attention. Reiterating the above there is no doubt that this leg up has set them up with an incredible platform to build from and I would confidently say we will be hearing a lot from them going in to 2027. Think Sonic Youth, Pavement and Idles gives you a pretty good idea of what there modus operandi is. Performing this very night as vocalist Zac Carr described it “it’s the aura of Adelaide that lifts you”. Definitely a quote for a t-shirt and that said Adelaide warmed to Special Features getting front of plenty of new eyes who weren’t there at one of the Crankers last gigs. There are some gems in their set including the likes of Che Guevara T-Shirt, Fun!, Poles and set closer Maddy’s Song.
With the stage warmed there was a seismic shift in the room when La Dispute took the stage for the next seventy five minutes. It was punk and hardcore at its finest. Emerging from the shadows the first words were “we’re called La Dispute” drawing a huge cheer from the crowd. Front man Jordan Dreyer maybe sleight in stature but he has a commanding presence. His impassioned lyrics and delivered from the pits of his soul leaving it all out there on the stage. Words that come to mind are chaotic, emotional, angsty and energetic are some words that come to mind and that’s just the opening song I Shaved My Head. The intensity lifted on Man With Hands and Ankles Bound and The Most Beautiful Bitter Fruit.
Dreyer took a moment to say “it is a privilege to be alive despite the divergent powers and back in a city we love. Thank you for making us at home”. Inspired by the “places you go and the places you end up” led to Scenes From Highways 1981-2009. The powerful moment of the set was King Park. The crowd response was a sight to behold singing this one as one united force to be reckoned with and that’s the essence of a war cry right there. There were moments of reflection scattered through their set revealing that they had a fleeting feeling that things might be over after Covid and adding that Australia is a big part of their history of the last twenty years, reuniting with old friends and making new friends was hard to process.
View From Our Bedroom Window, Steve and Landlord Calls the Sheriff In were stellar. Dreyer recounted and spoke of his first time in Adelaide and the battle scar from walking on stage bare foot serving as a permanent reminder of the good times being in the band. Love song I Dreamt of a Room With All My Friends I Could Not Get In was another highlight as was the raw acoustic intensity of the title track No One Was Driving The Car. There was no ducks and drakes of an encore saying there was two left finishing on Environmental Catastrophe Film and Such Small Hands. Wow! Mind blown! With a promise to be back that will take some topping.
Live Review By Rob Lyon