As we draw to the end of the first month of the new year, live music has lately often seemed like a thing of the past with venue restrictions, the postponement and cancellation of events, plus an uncertainty of whether or not the ticket you have bought for an upcoming event is going to happen.
For Brisbane heavyweights, Stepson this has been all too weird.Releasing their debut album 'Help Me, Help You' in March 2021, Stepson have had their eyes on touring and performing their newest endeavour to their dedicated fan base both locally and abroad, however, the global environment has not pertained to this becoming a reality – until now.
After multiple reschedules – beginning in May of last year – Stepson took to the stage of The Zoo (29 January) to showcase 'Help Me, Help You'.
Kicking the night off were home town up and comers Headwreck. For the unfamiliar, Headwreck have been making waves within the Brisbane heavy music scene over the last 12 months with the release of their debut EP 'Glamorous Demise'.
Their high energy, bouncy riffs and catchy hooks left the crowd well and truly warned, rounding out their set with crowd favourite track 'Freefall'.
Next on the bill were Melbourne-based Outloved, in what is their first lap of Australia off the back of their new single 'It's All Hate'.
Outloved combine modern post-rock driving rhythms and a smooth ambience, with wailing vocals and thick guitar melodies, their emotional delivery of refined post-rock struck a chord with punters as they ebbed and flowed in unison throughout their highly energetic set.
Melbourne's Rumours were next on stage, boasting a huge amount of unrelentingly energy as they played their infectious modern, emo-inspired tracks.
The on-stage chemistry of the band was akin to no other on the evening, with members dancing and singing together in what was truly a heartwarming display of friends performing their creations.
Finally the moment that many had waited for for the better part of the year, Stepson returning to the stage.
After performing for the first time in over two years the night before in Melbourne to a sold-out crowd, Stepson's intensity was second to none, and as unrelenting as a band you'd expect to have not seen a moment of downtime.
Launching straight into 'Learning To Let Go' and 2017 single 'Come With Me', there was no doubt this set was filled to the brim with pent-up energy ready for release.
As anyone who has had the pleasure of seeing this Brisbane staple to the heavy community can attest, the sheer, raw energy and passion that Stepson release on stage is cathartic, to both the band and their diehard fans.
Performing tracks from 'Help Me, Help You' as well as 2016 EP 'Echoes In An Empty Room' and 2016 single 'Never Mind Me', Stepson's set list confirmed that while their style continues to grow and evolve with each release, their own specific flavour of emotional hardcore/ punk-rock is built to withstand the test of time, and only improve as they continue to mature and develop.
