The Brisbane Showgrounds transformed into a magnetic epicentre of anticipation as the hot Queensland sun rose high (8 December).
A black-clad sea of fans surged in, a kaleidoscope of fishnets, studded belts, and band tees emblazoned with legendary logos. The air crackled with electric excitement, eyeliner eyes glinting in the sunlight. Conversations buzzed about set lists and past gigs, while a rebellious spirit united fans of all ages.We arrived just as Loathe took to Stage 2, and the atmosphere instantly ignited. The opening guitar riff tore through the air like a lightning bolt, sharp and electrifying, sending a shiver down the spine.
The drums erupted, a relentless, primal heartbeat that resonated deep in the chest, while the vocals, raw and visceral, poured emotion into every corner of the grounds. The crowd was a living, breathing organism, surging in unison with raised arms and deafening roars, swept away by the sonic tidal wave.
Loathe - image © Clea-marie Thorne
There was enough time to catch the start of Bowling For Soup as they kicked things off at Stage 1 in their signature style, bursting with energy and humour. The band had the crowd in stitches between songs, cracking jokes and trading banter with fans like old friends.
Their infectious charisma was matched only by their punchy, feel-good tunes that had everyone singing along, hands in the air. We couldn't resist busting out some moves to 'High School Never Ends' as we weaved our way toward Stage 5, where local heroes Bad Neighbour were commanding the spotlight.
The atmosphere shifted as we arrived, a palpable energy coursed through the crowd of devoted fans, their cheers echoing across the grounds. The moment of the set came when guitarist Zoe Middleton stepped forward, her fingers flying across the strings in a blistering solo that set the stage ablaze. The crowd erupted, their cheers a wall of sound that seemed to lift her higher.
Bowling For Soup - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Lingering at Stage 5, the anticipation for Alex Lahey was electric, the crowd buzzing like a live wire. Pardon the pun, but when someone asks if an Alex Lahey set is worth sticking around for, the answer is always yes.
As she took the stage, the energy hit like a tidal wave, her signature blend of wit and raw emotion pouring into every lyric. The crowd was hooked from the first chord, singing along like it was a rite of passage.
Next up on Stage 5 was Taylor Acorn, and she wasted no time proving why she was one of the day's standout acts. Bounding across the stage with ceaseless energy, she had the crowd hooked from the get-go.
Her performance was a perfect storm – infectious energy colliding with raw, heartfelt, heartbreak anthems that hit like an emotional wrecking ball. With every leap, every note, she poured her soul into the music, creating a memory that felt larger than life. Fans swayed, screamed, and sang their hearts out, united by the power of her performance. It wasn't just a set; it was a shared experience, the kind that lingers long after the final chord fades.
Taylor Acorn - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Hunger finally caught up with us, so we grabbed some loaded fries and found a spot to sit just as Killing Heidi stormed Stage 5. The timing couldn't have been better. As we dug into our food, the stage erupted with energy, drawing one of the largest crowds of the day.
The whispers we'd overheard about Ella Hooper's iconic presence weren't just true, they were an understatement. With every powerful note and commanding move, Killing Heidi captivated the audience, Ella's voice cutting through the air like a force of nature. It was impossible not to get swept up in the magic of her performance.
Over at Stage 2, Jet was gearing up and missing their set wasn't an option. We dove into the heart of the pit, where the energy was electric, and as soon as the opening chords rang out, it was like stepping into a time machine.
Dancing to their iconic anthems, I couldn't help but feel a wave of nostalgia. These were the songs that soundtracked my childhood, the ones that blared from car speakers, filled house parties, and captured countless moments growing up.
The crowd sang along with unbridled passion, every chorus a shared memory, every riff a rush of adrenaline. Jet didn't just perform; they reignited a part of me that will always belong to those timeless tunes.
Jet - image © Clea-marie Thorne
We couldn't miss Sleeping With Sirens at Stage 3, and as we arrived, the scene was electric, the crowd spilling out of the tent and stretching into the fading daylight. As the sun dipped below the horizon, the atmosphere transformed into something magical, charged with the raw energy of emo anthems that seemed to echo our own stories.
The crowd was a sea of arms waving in the air, voices screaming the lyrics that had been the soundtrack to so many of our lives. When they launched into their cover of 'Iris', the entire crowd erupted, singing with a passion that felt almost cathartic.
It wasn't just a concert; it was a collective release, a moment where every word felt like a shared memory, every note a beat in the soundtrack of our youth. Down at Stage 5, Highly Suspect delivered everything they were hyped to be: raw, unrelenting energy that shook the ground beneath our feet.
The crowd was electric, swept up in the band's punk-infused chaos, every riff and drumbeat fuelling the fire that had everyone jumping in sync. They didn't just play their music; they owned the stage, turning every moment into a high-voltage adrenaline rush.
Highly Suspect - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Afterward, we caught the tail end of Electric Callboy at Stage 2, and wow, what a ride. Their performance was pure mayhem, packed with the kind of high-octane energy that left you breathless. Streamers flew through the air, the crowd was roaring, and their infectious humour was impossible to miss.
However, it was the costumes that stole the show: wild, hilarious, and the perfect visual punch to match the energy of the music. Every moment was a playful, chaotic celebration, leaving everyone grinning from ear to ear.=
Korn was the last to take the stage at Stage 1, and just as the first notes ripped through the air, the sky seemed to answer. Lightning crackled in the distance, adding an electric charge to the atmosphere. The band pulled out all the stops, delivering a performance that felt monumental.
Then, in a moment that stunned the crowd, they brought out bagpipes, a twist that blended effortlessly with their signature heavy sound, creating a haunting, powerful layer to their already intense performance. It was a celebration of two decades of iconic music, made even more epic by the storm brewing above and the raw energy below.
Korn - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Despite the blazing Queensland heat, nothing could dampen the spirits of the crowd. Fans from every corner gathered, united by their love for the music and the energy of the day. Sweat streamed down, but it was nothing compared to the fire in their hearts.
The sun may have been relentless, but the atmosphere was electric, with everyone fully immersed in the moment, dancing, singing, and celebrating like the heat was just another part of the wild ride.
It was a day where the music and the vibe conquered the temperature, creating an unforgettable experience for all.
More photos from the concert.
