311 // LIBERTY HALL, SYDNEY // 11TH DECEMBER 2024 // LIVE PHOTO GALLERY + REVIEW
1998 was the last time reggae rock band 311 ever played in Australia and fans were absolutely extatic to see that they were headed back down under for Good Things Festival for the first time in a mind blowing 26 years. As well as being annouced for the festival, the band also decided to embark on three sideshows starting last week in Melbourne followed by Brisbane and now concluding their short lived tour on the 11th of December at the great Liberty Hall in Sydney. Tagging along with with them was Adelaide based metal core band heartline. Check out our gallery and words about the show below.
Heavy sweethearts heartline were a thrill to watch. Each member moving on stage with vigor and force, taking control of the first half of the night. A thirty minute set was surely not enough for these powerful guns with their high energy, in your face performance. Punching out song after song, heartline weren’t afraid to get down and gritty - headbanging till their heads near fell off, kicking across the stage, and jauntily jumping to the fast pace of the drums. By the end of their set you could tell they were undeniably grateful to be there as they thanked the crowd multiple times for coming out early to watch them after they heavily got everyone to engage in dancing and good times.
A loud chant started to form at 9pm before the intro music kicked in and the audience erupted into a roar of screams. The band headed out onto the stage with their instruments, waving at fans and getting ready to start their first headline show in Sydney since the 90’s. Vibes were high as the crowd patiently waited for the first notes to be played. Jumping in, the groovy reggae/funk sound bled out of the speakers and into the sea of buzzing fans turning on a domino effect in which fans started to sing a long and dance from every angle of the place. It’s been a long time coming and fans were certanly ready as everyone in the front couple of rows seemed to know every lyric to every song as they jumped up and down, screaming like their life depended on it. Vocalist and guitarist Nick Hexum jumped around stage, moving his body to every particular note played while smiling out to everyone and bassist Aaron Willis (P-Nut) sported a full Lakers kit, having no trouble high fiving fans before slapping the absolute shit out of his beautiful light up bass, making the notes so groovy it was infectious. It was by far one of the funnest shows we have been to and we wish these guys had of come back a lot sooner.
