Bad Friday 2018 Marrickville Block Party Review

From its humble beginnings at the Annandale Hotel (RIP) some nine years ago, Bad Friday has transformed into one of the Inner West Sydney’s biggest revelries.

With a focus on local flair, the event brings some of Australia’s best to that little road just down from Sydenham Station. The 2018 festival would see the inaugural event’s headliner return from a controversial hiatus and take to the stage again, but more on that later.

At a peak of 28 degrees, organisers and punters alike couldn’t have asked for a better day (30 March).

Sunscreen opened on a positive note, pledging to donate the band's proceeds to victims of domestic violence. Performing an intricate brand of indie rock, their sound was punctuated by Sarah Sykes vocals.


The band’s latest single ‘Tide’ is a definite stand out, the interplay between Sarah and guitarist Alexander McDonald providing a catchy duality.

Two-storey shop fronts and a large, brick wall enclose Railway Parade on both sides. These acoustics really amplified the songs and created a tunnelled-sound effect. It was noticeable as the crowd gathered for the earlier acts, but it wasn’t until Pist Idiots started that it really began to boom.

Pist Idiots are just four blokes from Revesby having a good time. They can string a song together and can have a crowd loosing their collective minds by the end of their opening track. With raspy, Australiana vocals and beer-stained guitars, the boys shifted the day into the next gear.

‘F%^& Off’ was a big hit and was sung by most in attendance. It’s also worth mentioning that I’ve never seen a band t-shirt worn by so many in one place before; a gold star to both the band and their logo designer.

At the Sydenham Road end of Railway Parade sat the smaller stage, of which was reserved for mostly local acts.

A. Swayze & The Ghosts from Hobart treated the early crowd. Swayze ran through the audience and climbed on things while sounding a hell of a lot like Mick Jagger, a comparison I’m sure he’s heard before. The four-piece tore through a high-energy set, not disappointing the prompt revellers.


Party Dozen are an improvised and intense experience. Kirsty Tickle plays a demented saxophone that’s mic’d and runs through a bunch of peddles, while Jonathon Boulet smashes away on drums. Their set bordered on the avant-garde and at times a controlled chaos.

I recognised their single ‘Straights’ among the anarchic soundscapes. Although the crowd was thin, those in attendance lapped it up.

As the day progressed, so did the energy among Bad Friday’s attendees. Much like their Newtown and Inner City stores, Mary’s Burgers had a line stretching across the street. Young Henry’s had cornered the alcohol department and kept everyone well lubricated.

A local jam band, Soulfuric Acid, had set-up halfway along the street catching those travelling between stages unaware; many joining in for a boogie, some staying for longer than they expected.

A sizeable crowd greeted local guitar pop and Sydney favourites Big White. With Good/ Bad Friday being the release day of their sophomore album, ‘Street Talk’, their set teemed with songs new and old.

The band shared singing duties across their three songwriters, giving the set a welcomed variety. ‘You know I Love you’ and ‘Right Before Everything Dies’ were my personal favourites.


The Belligerents brand of quirky pop and sharp guitars was well received at the main stage. Synth-laden crescendos and disco beat, driven pop were on high rotation while lead vocalist Lewis Stephenson threw down some super, out-there dance moves.

The band was all smiles and fun, mirrored by their chock-a-block audience.

Perhaps the worst, best-kept secret ever was the fact Sticky Fingers were the night’s Secret Guest. Having gone on hiatus 12 months ago, the band had cited internal issues as the catalyst for their time off. Though if you have a gander around the internet, you’d find some pretty heavy accusations.

Regardless of this, Sticky Fingers returned to the stage to an enthusiasm from the crowd unparalleled throughout the day. There were people on shoulders, there was fire billowing from the top of the stage and Sticky Fingers brought the house down - a house that was evidently in attendance just to see them.


Over on the smaller stage, Mezko played a time slot clashing with the returning town heroes as a slender crowd ensued. Nonetheless they put on what I’d consider to be the set of the day.

With pulsing acid-electro basslines and layered guitar tones, the duo peeled off tracks from their debut EP 'Polychronic'. Dressed in black and with a cool, nonchalant exterior, Mezko’s set was a dancey, visceral invasion. They also managed to throw a tiny bit of cheek at their clashing performers - I guess not everyone forgets.

Having attended Bad Friday last year, there was a number of improvements in regards to facilities and overall flow of the day. I didn’t see any dickheadish behaviour, apart from maybe a death-defying drop from that wall into the crowd; scary stuff.

Bad Friday was a good day out. What better way to enjoy a few on the day Jesus shuts our bottlos? Anyway. Well done everyone. Happy Easter.