Review and photos: Luke Petty 

The story of Monday night in Fortitude Valley was written in black ink: a sea of band tees lined all the way back to The Brightside. The air was thick with the residue of Knotfest‘s vicious assault, a lingering echo of yesterday’s chaos. But the weary faces, marked by the sun and the mosh pit, held a different kind of promise. Tonight, The Fortitude Music Hall was the destination, a beacon of hope for those seeking redemption through music.

Ocean Grove detonated onto the stage; Melbourne’s raw power unleashed. Dale Tanner, a human cyclone, whipped the crowd into a frenzy, his voice a primal scream: “Thirty minutes! Let’s make it count!” Their intensity wasn’t just insane; it was a force of nature. Announcing a guest to come on stage early in the set was none other than OG member Luke Poochy Holmes, who has been a studio-only member for some time, bursting onto the stage to sing along. Being a Brisbane local, the fans erupted.

Tanner swapped the mic for bass with Brent “Twiggy” Hunter as he took the lead vocals at one stage. Ocean Grove were a perfect fit for the opening spot on this lineup, and the crowd was ready for more.

Thornhill took the stage, a wave of anticipation crashing with them. “Where We Go When We Die” began, a powerful metalcore assault, yet the atmosphere was thick with a different energy. Jacob Charlton’s vocals were a tightrope walk between raw, unbridled power and a haunting melody. Thornhill expertly merged the hard-hitting elements of metalcore with a more melodic and atmospheric sound, creating a sound that was both heavy and delicate.

The opening chords of “nerv” sent a jolt through the crowd, a collective recognition of its raw, retro-modern edge. Nu-metal nostalgia, weaponized and refined. The energy crackled, a tangible force. “Lily & the Moon” shifted the atmosphere, a masterclass in tension and release. Drums hammered a relentless rhythm, while Charlton‘s voice, a ghostly echo, danced above the crowd’s roar. Thornhill commanded the room, and the crowd loved it.

Years of pent-up energy detonated as ADTR finally hit the stage. A chaotic prelude—radio static, fractured 70s riffs, a fleeting Rocky theme—preceded the intro of “Sticks & Bricks” and an explosion of confetti. The crowd erupted. A cathartic release, a tidal wave of bodies, and circle pits that became swirling vortexes. A decade’s worth of anticipation, unleashed in a glorious, chaotic frenzy.

With a flick of the wrist, they transitioned into the infectious energy of “All I Want,” showcasing their punk-rock versatility, still laced with a potent dose of their heavier edge. ADTR proved they were masters of their domain, effortlessly navigating the spectrum of aggressive rock.

ADTR wielded their sound with surgical precision. Tracks like “2nd Sucks” and “Violence” were a masterclass in aggressive metalcore, a relentless onslaught of growls, crushing riffs, and thunderous drumming. ADTR proved they were more than just a band; they were entertainers. Their genre-hopping was seamless, and the crowd was with them every step of the way. Tonight, they showed off their pop-rock side, unapologetically.

“Since You’ve Been Gone” was a hit, and “Rescue Me” became an instant party, complete with beach balls. ADTR knew how to keep the crowd engaged, no matter the style. At one stage, asking people to crowd surf on crowd surfers, without any hesitation, there were at least five people on top of others. It was insane.

The roar was deafening as ADTR unleashed their latest anthems, “Make It Make Sense” and “Lebron,” each met with a tidal wave of cheers. One, a celebration; the other, a defiant cry against social unrest, showcased the band’s range. Then, the encore: a hushed reverence fell as “If It Means a Lot To You” filled the room, a collective voice rising in a moment of pure, raw emotion.

But the calm was shattered by the explosive finale, “The Downfall of Us All,” a surge of energy that transformed The Fortitude Music Hall into a frenzied choir, chanting and moshing until the final, electrifying note.

Drenched. Satisfied. FMH: a humid, ecstatic mass. Every fan, rewarded. What a night.

 – GALLERY –