Mudhoney - Gig Review & Photo Gallery 16th April @ the zoo, Bris QLD
Mudhoney
the zoo, Brisbane QLD
April 16, 2023
Supports: Chimers and Gravel Samwidge
Mudhoney are back!!
Took a little trip up to Brisbane for Seattle grunge legends Mudhoney and their Plastic Eternity Tour at The Zoo last Sunday night. It’s the band’s first tour back to Australia since 2014, and it did not disappoint. Getting there nice and early as I have a knack for getting lost (which I did!), I finally got my bearings and made my way up the stairs and into The Zoo to an already semi-filled room.
I do really love this venue. Air conditioning, great lighting and the tiered bar area makes for a great vantage point when you can’t get to the front! Slowly but surely, the room started to fill with more punters all excited and waiting to see one of their favourite bands.
First up on the bill was Brisbane-based Gravel Samwidge. Originally hailing from Sydney the trio aren’t new to the scene. They delivered a punchy 45 mins set with a host of wicked tunes that got the crowd going including ‘Don’t You Know’ from their Complaints album.
Next we had Wollongong Post Punk duo Chimers hit the stage. Formed in their backyard during lockdowns in 2020, they have become hugely popular in the local scene. They played a rocking set including their latest release ‘Turn on the Lights’ to a fairly decent-sized crowd who seemed to be having just as much fun as they did on stage. Vocalist/Guitarist Padraic Skehan put on an energetic show with drummer Binx that really impressed.
This is always one of my favourite parts of the night at a gig. The time between the support band and the headliner. Those moments when the room fills to the brim with fans all itching for those first few notes from the band they came to see. That moment we have all been waiting for...
With over 3 decades of music behind them, the crowd were an eclectic mix of age groups and Mudhoney fans from all walks of life. Lights down. Rustling movements side of stage. Shadows moving into position. Lights up! And bam! Mudhoney kicked off their set with ‘If I Think’ and the crowd cheered and woo-hooed their heads off. The iconic act delivered a solid set of all the good stuff, including new tunes from their latest album Plastic Eternity and old hits. By the time they played ‘Sweet Young Thing’ the mosh and circle pit craziness was in full swing with arms, legs and heads flailing right left and centre.
[videopress xLT3JA72]
Lead Vocalist Marc Arm throws out a bit of a rock Tom Petty vibe, giving the crowd some banter and mentioning how happy the band was to be back at The Zoo. I really love it when bands show a bit of humour and really try to engage the crowd with more than just music. And just when we all thought it was over, Mudhoney put on an encore to remember with ‘Tom Herman's Hermits’, ‘When Tomorrow Hits’ and 'In 'n' Out of Grace’. They didn’t miss a beat and sounded just as fantastic as they did back then.
Currently touring Australia now – if they are coming to a town near you do yourself a favour and go see them live!
Revisit our interview with Mudhoney's Guy Maddison here
Photo Gallery by Bec O’Reilly. Find Bec on Facebook and Instagram.
Please credit Wall of Sound and Bec O’Reilly if you repost.
Gravel Samwidge
Chimers
Mudhoney
Mudhoney - Australian Tour 2023
