New Bloom Festival: My Dream Setlist 🫶🏻

Posted on March 5, 2024 by ghaskins13

Earlier this year, Australians were blessed with the announcement of the inaugural New Bloom Festival. Taking place on dates across Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne, the one-day event is an auditory celebration of emotional anthems, grungy relics, and soft-punk belters that are sure to see each respective venue flooding with passion, an electrifying sense of community, and of course, a lot of tears.

As the dates loom closer, and my ticket for the event gets closer to bursting out of the edge of my bag, the anticipation to see some of the scene’s finest, and get to know some of Australia’s most refreshing up-and-comers, is gaining by the second.

With mere days to go before the bands begin to land, and the whole of Australia gets more melancholic, my silent prayers for setlist appearances have been ever-present, even before the pre-show jitters. To get you sorted, I thought I would let you into my brain and offer up some of my hope-to-see tracks, or favourites from the stellar lineup presented to us. Take a look, and get to know some of the catalogues before your mascara runs into your eyes and a weighted feeling of gut-wrenching, palpable emotion takes over.

Citizen – ‘Weave Me (Into Yr Sin)’

There is an immense amount of pressure placed upon a headline slot, especially when conducting the very first shows of this hopefully annual festival. There is perhaps no better fit for this slot than Citizen, however. Iconic and prolific, the dazzling and vibrant flowers of the Youth album cover is a sight that resides in any emos’ eyes upon hearing their name. It is almost guaranteed that Citizen’s set will be an almighty sing-along, engulfing the room in screaming only characterized by a shared yearning, pain, and nostalgia.

To add, it is the perfect time for the American lads to celebrate their new album, Calling The Dogs, down under. With an extensive discography, my pick may come as a shock, or complete dismissal for most fans, but it has reasoning, I promise! ‘Weave Me (Into Yr Sin)’ is an incredibly haunting track that infuses a daring Western standoff feeling with an impassioned expression of renewal. Although relaxed and tame, I have had many visions of this song being played live- a feat that I believe is yet to occur.

As the Roundhouse lights fade to black, I envision them suddenly transforming into a menacing blood red, with each solemn beat welcoming each member onto the stage. As an opening track, the gentle presentation of instrumentals and vocals alike gives room for introduction, inducting the punk pioneers into the space. It is within these indoor venues especially that such a song has the potential to send the venue into a trance. ‘Weave Me’ offers the perfect welcome to then transition into the calamity and chaos that I am sure the rest of their setlist is set to include. Jarring, haunting, and capturing, I can only dream about this song demanding silence and attention from everyone in the room- insisting Citizen get the introduction they deserve.

Movements – ‘Deep Red’

Now, onto a little bit of a safer bet! Movements have an absolutely stellar discography, and perhaps my bias excessively glares within this section as they were my top artist of last year (you know, in that wrapped you post and hope everyone drools over). And while there are a lot of songs I NEED to see live, I simply cannot go past seeing ‘Deep Red’ live again. After spiraling into the Movements fandom a mere two weeks before their last Sydney show, committing myself to learning their whole discography before the show, and somehow securing barricade, it was this very song that hit like a tonne of bricks, both recorded and live.

‘Deep Red’ is an explorative journey that tackles the mental challenges of love within the darkest of times, and colouring the connection between two people as salvation; it is an ode to love as our deepest expression of intent, and greatest asset as people. Not to mention, the bassline that penetrates your very soul and aids to reverberate every emotion outward. Much like all of their tracks, the opportunity to belt these lyrics in a room of people never ceases to be an outstanding testament to the emotional connection that Movements builds within their audience. This set will also be an exciting induction of RUCKUS! to Australian audiences, as well as a reclamation of ‘Daylily’ that is sure to be heard within an extended radius of each respective venue.

Touché Amoré – ‘Lament’

I remember one lonely night in 2020, studying for my HSC and listening to an Australian punk radio channel, when I was suddenly halted by some of the most agonizing songwriting, and even harsher delivery in the form of Touché Amoré’s poetic and almost spoken pleas. It was a jarring listen, but one that encapsulated the frustrations of this young, confined, tired, and overwhelmed girl. Since then, I have longed to be in a position to see this album, and particularly the song ‘Lament’, live. In its three-minute duration, the song is continuously fuelled by a rawness and vulnerability that does not merely scratch beyond the surface, but etches into your very soul with a visceral pain in the screams, and echoing lust for something better within the cascading instrumentals. No matter what song is played, I am beyond intrigued to see how these post-hardcore giants transcend the realm of recorded versions, and capture the room with their spiraling rage and dizzying pleas. Marking their first visit since 2017, this appearance is set to be a first witness for many fans, new and old!

No Pressure – ‘No Pressure’

There would truly be no greater solidification of No Pressure’s status among the bustling lineup of the day than to belt out a self-titled anthem; a proclamation of themselves as a band that has the whole room screaming their name back to them. Known for their generally short, punchy, and invigorated tunes, ‘No Pressure’ proves no different. In a live setting, I cannot wait to see how the mosh shifts, dispels, and reignites during that delicious tempo change! With electrifying drums and punchy lyrics that are inescapably infectious, their set is one not to miss!

Fleshwater – ‘Baldpate Driver’

Fleshwater is arguably one of the most exciting bands on this lineup, adding something completely revitalized through their nu-gaze fusion, perfected within their debut album, We’re Not Here To Be Loved. It is on this very album in which the track I would love to hear finds itself not only within, but leading charge of the whole body of work. As an opener, and standalone, ‘Baldpate Driver’ hypnotizes with its foggy soundscape and unexpected, challenging musical variations that deter it from ever becoming comfortable. It is these tempo changes, and jarring downward spirals into chaotic riffs that I think will conjure both incredible energy and movement among fans. With an underlying haunting energy encased within their evocative and atmospheric soundscape, Fleshwater has the power to compel the room, using the advantage of these indoor spaces, lights, and proximity to paint the stage as their own.

Softcult – ‘Shortest Fuse’

With the spirit of the day lurking in the realm of overbearingly emotional and exponentially vulnerable bands, there would be no better way to start the day than with Softcult’s latest release, ‘Shortest Fuse’. Honing in on their DIY, shoegaze prowess, the track is a fragile and delicate, yet driven and moving feat showcasing the duo’s effortlessly timeless expression. Capturing elements from the 90s to now, Softcult fluctuates between the rage of riot grrrl and the delicacy of alt-rock, something which is sure to capture over the three meetings in March. ‘Shortest Fuse’ marked the start of what is set to be a year to watch for the band, and it is a privilege that we get to see it firsthand in Australia!

Among the incredible international lineup, each respective day showcases some incredible hometown talent. Here are my picks on the bands you should certainly head down early for in your state… your new favourite band could be lurking just within the doors!

Sydney: Peace Ritual – ‘Trust Fall’

Opening for Movements on their last run across Australia, Peace Ritual are no strangers to the crowds set to linger within New Bloom Festival. What was perhaps most enthralling about them within their set time was their soulful demeanour that spilled outwardly towards the bodies pressed upon the barricade, and beyond. ‘Trust Fall’ is perhaps the biggest auditory representation of the band as a whole, capturing their profound and heartfelt sentiments that are buried within moments of melancholy. This track also perfectly encapsulates the festival experience; a track you can feel as you’re holding up your friends and singing along. This is certainly one to learn before heading down!

Brisbane: Blind Girls – ‘Dissociating While Driving’

Blind Girls are another act I was lucky enough to catch opening, this time, for the ever-poetic, La Dispute. Truthfully, their sets were one of the most intense, almost incomparable, to any opener I’ve ever seen. Swiftly, they solidified their place as a live act, and as a band with regular rotation within my playlists. ‘Dissociating While Driving’ offers a brief snippet of the band’s unrivaled rage that lies skillfully placed within flustered drums and chunky, chaotic riffs. It is pure auditory heaven.

Blind Girls are sure to take New Bloom Fest by storm with their relentless showmanship, and even more enthralling catalogue that is set to be showcased.

Melbourne: Better Half – ‘Burning Like Violets’

Better Half is infused with a loveable pop-punk, alternative energy that since their emergence, has made them both infectious and loved around the Australian scene. ‘Burning Like Violets’ stands out to be one of their best tracks, embedded with an almost palpable ache, the type that creates a little churn within your stomach.

Situating themselves as the cool, Australian cousins to Movements, it is heartwarming to see them on the same lineup! This track, and their set, is one not to be missed if you are heading to the Melbourne session!

What songs are you most looking forward to at New Bloom Festival?

Words by Georgia Haskins @ghaskins2002

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