Review: Joshua Hobbins
Photography: Nate Rose
It’s been 26 years since 311 last graced Australian shores, and for fans like me, their return to Brisbane’s Triffid on December 10 was more than just a concert—it was a time capsule bursting open.
Opening the night, rising stars Heartline delivered a blistering performance that set the perfect tone for the evening. The Adelaide-based quartet showcased their knack for seamlessly blending groove metal, nu-metal, and electronic elements, holding the crowd’s attention from start to finish.
Synthetic opened with a captivating display of the band’s technical prowess, pairing wild vocal range with a heavy drum-and-bass-inspired groove. Pink Lemonade, the title track from their 2024 EP, brought infectious energy, as its massive synth bass sound filled the room. The heartfelt New Immune, inspired by singer Luke Taylor’s wife, added a personal touch to the set, resonating deeply with the audience.
Their cover of Primer 55’s Loose injected a burst of nu-metal nostalgia, while Lovers proved to be the highlight of the night, with Taylor dedicating the song to the Brisbane crowd, who outshone the punters from their Melbourne show last week in their enthusiasm.
Heartline closed with a new, unreleased track that blended a faster nu-metal vibe with subtle hints of The Used—a sign of exciting things to come from the band. Heartline’s blend of heavy grooves, emotional depth, and technical precision left the crowd primed and hungry for more.
For some fans, 311’s performance at The Triffid was more than a concert—it was a journey through time. For me and my mates, it was a full-circle moment. In 1998, as teens, we piled into a car and drove to the Vans Warped Tour in Coffs Harbour. It was there, under the blazing sun and under the influence of a few brews and other party favours, that 311 became the soundtrack to our best party times for the next 2 decades.
Their fusion of reggae, rock, and funk captured our imaginations, and we spent the following years with their music pumping through every road trip, beach trip, and backyard party.
Fast forward 26 years and here we were again, with the same friends, standing shoulder to shoulder. The nostalgia was palpable as 311 took the stage, and it was as if no time had passed. This wasn’t just another show—it was a reunion with the music that shaped us.
They opened with Beautiful Disaster, from 1997’s Transistor, an instant crowd-pleaser that took us back to those carefree days of the late ’90s. The infectious grooves of Loco and All Mixed Up from the ‘Blue’ album, Soundsystem classics Come Original, Large in the Margin, Flowing and Freeze Time, and What Was I Thinking, from Transistor, had everyone moving, the band’s energy as vibrant as ever.
SA Martinez and Nick Hexum were electric together all set long, nailing all their harmonies and flowing smoothly throughout the set. P-Nut’s bass solo was a standout moment, especially when he dropped into Rage Against the Machine’s Killing in the Name. The entire venue erupted into a euphoric singalong, a perfect blend of nostalgia and pure fun. Applied Science included a jaw-dropping drum solo from Chad Sexton, with all band members then joining in for a synchronised percussion jam—a testament to their tightness as a group.
The emotional Beyond the Grey Sky and Amber provided a poignant pause amidst the high-energy tracks, showing 311’s depth and range, and Tim Mahoney’s smooth and sexy guitar tones. Don’t Stay Home is my favourite 311 song, and the band absolutely crushed it, with the crowd singing along so well that Hexum gave us some high praise as the song ended.
As the encore kicked off with One and the Same and closed with the anthemic Down, the room became a sea of jumping bodies and unrestrained joy. It felt like a celebration, not just of 311’s music but of the memories tied to it and the friendships it had sound tracked over the years, with Hexum reminding us to “Stay positive and love your life.”
For a venue as intimate as The Triffid, the energy in the room was massive. Heartline introduced themselves to Brisbane with style, setting a high bar for the night. 311 then delivered a performance that bridged decades and emotions. For those of us who had waited 26 years for their return, the show was everything we’d hoped for—and more. Hopefully we don’t have to wait another 26 years!
– GALLERY –
