Free Throw and Microwave blasted onto Australian stages last week, kicking off their nine-date co-headline tour at The Princess Theatre in Brisbane for their exhilarating return down under.
Both bands are alternating headline duties as the tour unfolds and for their opening night (24 July), Free Throw took the headliner slot and delivered a banger gig promoting the 10th anniversary of their debut album 'Those Days Are Gone'.Supported by Meanjin-based punk/ emo/ sook band Talk Heavy, whose current single 'Die 4 U' dropped in May, and Naarm-based indie alt band Garage Sale, whose latest single 'Punching Up' was released just days before the tour kicked off, Microwave were plugging their 'Let's Start Degeneracy' album, released in 2024. What a delicious opening night gig it was!
Microwave – their current line-up being Nathan Hardy (lead vocals, guitar), Tyler Hill (bass, backing vocals), and Timothy Pittard (drums), plus touring member Lucas Daniel Jones (guitar, backing vocals) – took the stage following Talk Heavy's high energy and inspirational fan engagement, and Garage Sale's more mellow vibes that plugged their latest single and gave listeners a taste of their upcoming album release.
Microwave's Nathan Hardy was quick to sheepishly inform excited fans that a mix up with the airline left both Microwave and Free Throw without their usual instruments and gear after flying in from the States the day before, their gear having been delayed in transit.
While such a kerfuffle might've been disastrous for some bands, Microwave proved their true dedication to their craft and skill as incredible musicians.
Despite using borrowed gear and unfamiliar instruments – with Nathan admitting he'd never before used the brand of guitar he was slinging for the night – the alt-rock quartet proved their undeniable talent as they rocked out hard enough to send Nate's hat flying off his head more than once. Fans lapped it up.
They opened with beloved 'Stovall', the set list featured several of their popular bangers from their earlier days including a few off their debut album such as 'Trash Stains' and 'Something Right'.
These were interspersed with newer tracks from their latest album, including the title track 'Let's Start Degeneracy' as well as 'Circling The Drain' and 'Bored Of Being Sad'.
The drum beat throughout their performance banged hard enough to vibrate through the floor and clang in our chests like a second heartbeat as we all stood in the crowd wishing we had half their talent.
Both Microwave and Free Throw have returned to Australian shores for their second time, having previously supported Mom Jeans and Hot Mulligan respectively on their last visit. The Nashville- and Atlanta-based bands made a big splash on their first trip, big enough to be welcomed back, this time as the headliners.
The intimacy of The Princess Theatre really brought the music to life and fans were treated to an up close and personal show that had everyone bopping along and cheering after every song was played.
When Microwave concluded with a bang but no encore, Free Throw – current line-up comprising of Cory Castro (vocals, guitar), Lawrence Warner (guitar), Jake Hughes (guitar, backing vocals), Justin Castro (bass) and Zach Hall (drums, backing vocals) – took the stage, cheerfully reminding us their last show of their 2023 tour had concluded in the very same Princess Theatre and that it felt fitting and a bit like kismet to kick off the 2025 leg in the same location.
Opening with 'Such Luck', Cory and the lads skilfully dodged crowd demands from the get-go they'd do a shoey, working hard between every song to wrangle unfamiliar instruments to match their unique sounds and talent.
Fan favourites like 'Tongue Tied', 'Good Job, Champ', and 'Pallet Town' had everyone in the house bouncing, bopping and cheering, all of them familiar and well-loved that an impromptu mosh pit sprang up multiple times. They rounded out the night with 'Two Beers In' and the crowd went home happy.
- written by Ellie Duck
Read our recent feature where Microwave and Free Throw interviewed each other.
