Dune Rats - Gig Review & Photo Gallery 6th March @ Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane QLD
Dune Rats
Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane QLD
Friday 6th March, 2020
Supports: Ruby Fields, Dear Seattle, Totty
Since the release of their latest album Hurry Up and Wait (our review here), I haven't been able to stop playing Dune Rats, so I jumped at the chance to see the band live for the first time. They had a strong line of great upcoming Australian talent as well, which increased my excitement for the night ahead. Upcoming local indie act Totty set the crowd up for a night of good ol' Australian punk debauchery and fun. Watching this young three-piece, I was in awe, mainly by their genuine gushes of excitement to be opening for the Dunies. Frontwoman Kelly Jansch is mesmerising to listen to live and with their latest single 'Fairies' a definite vibe, I'm looking forward to seeing what else is to come from this bright-eyed, punk-pop act.
The general buzz of the packed out Fortitude Music Hall was electric that evening. Positive energy all round, everyone was just stoked to be there, making friends new and old and pumped for the main event. It was a proper music festival atmosphere, and with happy smiles all around, the next act took to the stage. The energy only maximised during Dear Seattle; launching straight into their hit track 'Maybe', the pit was a whirl of circle pits, singalongs and stage dives. This upcoming Sydney punk act was a top highlight of my evening, especially when they played their energetic pop punk take on a classic Missy Higgins hit, 'The Special Two'. In my completely honest opinion, Dear Seattle easily upstaged everyone tonight and after witnessing that set, I'm officially sold as a fan, boys.
It'd be hard for anyone (but Dune Rats) to follow on after Dear Seattle's raucous show, but young Sydney indie act Ruby Fields was keen for the challenge. While much of the crowd chose this time of the night to grab a few more at the bars, Ruby Fields still managed to pull a sweet crowd with her catchy, raw indie punk tunes. Now I'm not too in tune with what the kids are listening to on Triple J these days, but I'm stoked to say that 'Trouble' was catchy as fuck and enjoyable to watch live, and Ruby sings about relatable topics, in a tongue-in-cheek kind of way.
The anticipation for the Dunies only escalated once the massive Dune Rats orange scrim covered the stage. However, once the 'Bobby D' voicemail memo began to play over the speakers, the whole venue cheered. The orange scrim drops, revealing a giant blow up rat protuding from the back of the stage, Danny, BC and Brett launch straight into the line "Crazy motherfuckers!!" and the kids went nuts. With the massive rat overlooking the crowd, the show was nonstop singalongs and fun, punters taking the opportunity during 'Scott Green' to find their nearest bud (because really, what's a Dunies show without some green?!), while the Brissy boys lit up marshmallows using the pyrotechnics on stage before getting into their biggest song of the last year, 'No Plans'.
Dune Rats put on a fucking entertaining show and they've definitely stepped up their live show game. This rowdy three-piece are no longer your average group of stoner boys, but watching them live tonight proved they can put on one hell of a show and it was hard not to enjoy everything that was happening. You could tell the band were equally as fucking stoked, with the inbetween banter pretty much involving the words "fuck yeah!", "legends!" or "mad cunts!" The lads rode out on stage on electric scooters during the encore, bringing Totty frontwoman Kelly (also known as Brett's sister) on stage during 'Stupid Is As Stupid Does' and finished the night with 'Mountains Come and Go'. I haven't enjoyed a show so much in a long time; and I think it's safe to say, you don't go to a Dune Rats show for a good time, you go for a fucking mad time!
Setlist:
Bobby D
If My Bong Could Talk
Rubber Arm
Red Light Green Light
Six Pack
Superman
Demolition Derby
Scott Green
Buzzkill
Dalai Lama Big Banana Marijuana
Funny Guy
Lola
Braindead
Shit Head
Bad Habits
No Plans
Stupid Is As Stupid Does
Bullshit
Crazy
Mountains Come & Go
Review by Tamara May (@citylightstam)
Photo Gallery by Cat Louise. Insta: @ninelivesaus
Please credit Wall of Sound and Cat Louise if you repost photos!
Totty
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Dear Seattle
Ruby Fields
Dune Rats
Dune Rats - Australian Tour
March 8 at Festival Hall, Melbourne SOLD OUT
