SPEED - Gig Review & Gallery 23rd August @ Enmore Theatre, Sydney NSW
SPEED
Enmore Theatre, Sydney NSW
August 23, 2024
Supports: High Vis, Primitive Blast, Pain of Truth and Fuse
Hardcore; it is in the flesh in which it truly thrives. From the outside, these piles of bodies and pools of blood look like man’s most personified form of anger and violence, but, it is among the walls of the venue that you realize these actions are the intricacies of community, intertwining body and soul toward a much larger common ground.
Underneath the lavish and classic roof of Sydney’s Enmore Theatre, SPEED hosted a hometown celebration of their recently released, ONLY ONE MODE- an album that solidifies their ethos to the world, and feeds the Sydney Style beyond the walls that once contained it. Employing the best in hardcore right now in the form of Fuse, Pain Of Truth, Primitive Blast, and High Vis, the night was a collaboration of hardcore sounds from around the world, unifying to foster an essence of community, safety, and home that was palpable, and lingered long after the streets of Enmore were clogged with patrons exiting.
SPEED’s prolificness has not been lost on the Aussie scene. With a SPEED jersey now a staple at every show, it was endearing to see this notion amplified, with the streets of Newtown and surrounding decked out in SPEED merch. From jerseys to caps, there is an essence of immense pride that radiates from people wanting to be a part of their culture, with each piece of clothing a symbol of not just support of the music, but the ideals and ethos. This sight continued through the doors, with the merch lines spiraling beyond the entrances to the dance floor.
As the themes of community ran throughout the venue, there was perhaps no better representation found than the beautiful and hand-written banner that draped around the perimeter of the Enmore’s balcony- a dedication to the band’s longtime friend and well-known creative, Tahmid Nurulah. It amplified that this night was so much bigger than the band itself- it was for those who passed, for those who witnessed the sheer blossoming of their journey, for those who overcame… for community.
Opening the night was Fuse. Hailing from Singapore, it was the band’s first time in Australia, and only second performance of the tour. However, this statistic did not correlate to a feat of nerves, but instead, their set reigned with an undeniable feeling of confidence that bellowed from the stage to the floor. It only took three songs for their siren-like charm to steer people to the open floor, including some very familiar faces. Together, both Fuse and their fans put together a display of personal style, with a wide open pit giving each two-stepping fan their space to be seen, and an open view of the band’s puppeteer-like control seeping toward them. Aggressive, fierce, and femme, Fuse bought an impassioned performance that translated to an intoxicating live show, and was a set I couldn't find myself looking away from. With chunky bass, and a heavy attitude to match, Fuse left their mark, making the air in the venue a little denser.
As old-school rap took over the speakers, and the lights went the darkest they had all night, Pain Of Truth pranced onto the stage with swagger and conviction. Boasting their New York heritage, the band became identifiable by their affirming cockiness and loveable, almost arrogant, tone. If there is one thing to take from this band- it is that they mean business. Before a riff was played or a note was uttered, frontman Smith taunted audiences; “where are the hardcore people at? Come and give me what you’ve got”! It was soon found out that this wasn't a feature of smoke and mirrors, but instead, a call to arms. As their deep and reverberating guitar picked up pace, and a cymbal tap sounded as the fight bell, Pain Of Truth’s set can only be described as absolute and utter carnage. It was within a mere two minutes that the space had been consumed and the bodies were suffering for it. Men with pools of blood pouring from their mouths dripped on the ground as they weaved their way to the side for any kind of relief. More than a handful of sweaty punters held their noses, a temporary stabilizer to the snapped cartilage, although their smiles still beaming with enjoyment. Most poignant, a band of friends carrying out their friend by his shoulders- his ankle, limp and dangling. No matter how tough, or no matter how battered, these warriors all came out with a smile, relishing in the safety of the community that surrounded them. Pain Of Truth commanded the stage, and for the duration of their set, made Sydney a variation of New York, spewing their ideals and postcode with pride and ambition.
As Primitive Blast took the stage, I took the time to engulf myself within the very venue where this took place. Fluctuating between a mezzanine media seat, and a cheeky late purchased floor ticket, I explored the grounds. Usually, there is a different energy that trickles from the balcony area- a calmness, a viewership. Yet, at this show, each different segment held the same energy, and a vibrant sense of belonging that saw a warmth beam from the floor to the roof. And this warmth really took off when the first hometown representations of the night walked onto the stage. Draping an Indigenous flag over their speaker, Primitive Blast paid respect to Sydney, and Australia’s, long-running and sturdy roots. It was tough to fill this middle spot, a place in which some may find themselves needing a rest, or a break outside in the air, away from the humidity and sweat chamber this venue had become. Yet, Primitive Blast’s energy seemed to reflect back to the crowd, rejuvenating those in the front rows back for another round! Their set was a commendable representation of the Aussie scene, and a punchy presentation of some of their discography standouts.
Next up were the much loved and incredibly dignified, High Vis. For me, the London band added a duality to the night with their offering of a musical tonal shift. Branching into the more melodic and punk adjacent sounds, High Vis finds their style embedded in the pillars of anthemicness and universality. It was clear to see that High Vis meant a lot to this crowd, whether it be through the singing voices, or the clamoring bodies piling upon each other, desperate for some proximity to the stage. For the first time, the mosh was a little different. It closed upon itself, instead finding the patrons inside huddling together, arms linking over shoulders and people screaming into each other's ear, or leaning their heads on someone else's shoulders. It was still wild, but permeated with a respect for the words that needed to be heard. Those words ran through like a sharp knife to the crowd. Touching on the topic of drugs, suicide, and government classism, High Vis were patriotic and emotional in their ideals. What rang through the speakers more than their words, however, was their authenticity- a feeling of genuine seething anger, or extinguished empathy for those met with the many tribulations of life. It truly made for one of the most emotionally jarring, yet vibrant, sets on the night. As the house lights beamed, and people piled towards the front, most had a gleam in their eye, a softness and comfortableness in this space that was bought by the sentiments of this band. As High Vis stopped the music and took to the mic again, they elucidated the importance of shifting hardcore representations- as seen at a show like this, and now, what it means to be hardcore. As affirming screams raised hell in the stands, the band finished with a bang, with brothers turning into friendly foes as the pit once again descended into pure, unrestrained madness.
As close friends and family filled up the wings of the stage, and the final touches were being toggled with, it was time for the main event. Just as you thought the Enmore Theatre couldn't get more crowded, your lungs became more compacted as the bodies piled in, and the center of the room’s hellish pit grew hungry for more space.
As the lights brightened, vocalist Jem Siow planted his feet firmly on the center of the stage. Flute in hand, he let out a harrowing blow, a call to arms as the haunting first notes of ‘REAL LIFE LOVE’ reverberated through the speakers. As the guitars started to sturm, and the drums found their deep rhythm, the divine being that was the middle of the pit demanded more sacrifices. With beautiful juxtaposition, the Enmore’s etched and dusty walls watched on as blood splattered before them.
This is a spectacle.
As heads bobbed over the balcony, even the highest in the room stood in awe of the scenes below them; a tornado of people, their feet almost reaching the seats above with passionate kicks and proclaimative two-steps. This was as much about the fans as it was the music. It was a celebration of the sound that has put Sydney on the map and brought our hardcore scene to life. It was a moment of expression, for people to let out their grievances, and to find safety in the walls that surrounded them. There was discourse surrounding a venue choice like this, along the lines of how does one begin to foster the energy of a small, no barricade room when the fences are up and the stage was lifted. But it was these restrictions that made the carnage within the pit even more enraged, even more electric, and even more representative of the band that stood before them.
The show itself was a celebration of the band’s first full-length album, ONLY ONE MODE; an album in which I rated a 10/10 here at Wall Of Sound. As some songs received their first moment in the spotlight, this rating has only gotten higher. As passions flew, the recorded tracks instead became real and present moments of feeling, revising the memories and stories that made them, and instead resharing them in new ways.
There was a moment in this show where I found myself thrown onto the barricade. It was here where I came face to face with the menacing figures that carry their front- in particular, Dennis and Jem on my side. As their hands tensed with aggression, it took a moment to scan upward to their eyes to see the gratefulness that flooded them. Looking out toward a packed 1500 cap venue, swirling to the beat of the music they created, and chanting back lyrics with veins slicing through their necks… this was clearly a 'made-it' moment. And those feelings seemed to prevail throughout the night, with Jem taking to the microphone with his sheer disbelief and gratitude. He shared tales of the journey so far, and the feeling of elation to see a room of like-minded people get together to become one body, one mind, and one mode.
There was an amplified importance in the air in terms of heritage and hometown- many of these patrons being the ones who grew alongside the band, witnessing the grind and tribulations that have surrounded their showstopping rise to stardom. Many too, were fans, around since the beginning in dingy rooms of sparse bodies. It was clear that this show was a thank you for the belief and support that has centered them throughout their career. It became particularly noticeable in moments like the aptly titled ‘SEND THEM 2 SYDNEY’, and one of the band’s most loved singles, ‘We See U’. As bodies flew over the barricade, there was a weight that was heavier than a boot to the head, but one that was emotionally jarring. It was once again this representation of community that became overbearingly strong and soul-shattering. A pride in the people that surrounded you, and the music that represented you.
As well as this, SPEED has grown exponentially from a musicality standpoint. In the short time since seeing them at the Christmas show, the band has excelled with their live performance which truly cannot be faulted. Filled with passion and intensity, not a note is off, even when dodging stage divers from their own side of the fence. To keep up this performance among the chaos is a true testament to the craftsmanship of this band.
Of course, the night’s live treat soon arrived at the debut Sydney performance of ‘THE FIRST TEST’. Known for its virality and revitalized flute inclusion, the track has made waves in the hardcore community for its mark of individualism, and its downright coolness. As the time was coming, chants of “FLUTE! FLUTE!” filled the room. It was clear that this moment had been longed for for quite some time. As the song kicked off from the first note, the intensity of the room propelled itself to a level now unmeasurable. With ribs against the barricade and clumps of my hair now under the ownership of other people, the crowd went nothing short of feral. As the breakdown approached, the now shirtless, sweaty, and undeniably swole Siow latched onto the flute- a now signature image of the frontman. As he kicked and spun, he gravitated back down to earth for two vital moments of concentration. And for the first time all night, you could hear a pin drop in the crowd.
He’s nailed it.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C_Cjjn5Sq7k/
A roar overtook the crowd once more, and a smirk arose on the faces covering the stage. As the chant of “SPEED” hit, there was a feeling in the crowd that we had just witnessed something historical.
The night came to an end with a charged and intense performance of ‘Not That Nice’, which is arguably, my favourite SPEED song. Through the aggression and grit, there was an elation that came from the annihilation that was taking place above my head. It was the realization that Australia was home to something special, and we were bearing witness to it. It has taken mere months for this album to become ingrained in the minds of the Aussie scene, with ONLY ONE MODE becoming an anthem for hardcore as a whole. This band has changed the nature of shows, from aesthetics to style, and this was a representation in its purest form. Unapologetically themselves, SPEED had just added another layer of history into the walls of the Enmore Theatre, and one that is not to be erased anytime soon.
One blood and one mode- there is no live act like SPEED.
Review by Georgia Haskins @ghaskins2002
Setlist
REAL LIFE LOVE
DON'T NEED
NO LOVE BUT FOR OUR OWN
SHUT IT DOWN
One Blood We Bleed
Big Bite
KILL CAP
SEND THEM 2 SYDNEY
We See U
ONLY FOES
THE FIRST TEST
Not That Nice
Photo Gallery by Jack Rudder @thesaddest day
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SPEED - ONLY ONE MODE Australian Tour
