The Highly Anticipated Australian Debut Tour

Friday 15 November 2024

Written by: Jimmy Wah

Photographer: RA

The Crowbar - Sydney, a venue that many have called home ever since it was called The Bald Faced Stag more than 20 years ago, before they expanded their East Coast footprint in late 2018. Like many other beloved Sydney venues back in those days, a certain ownership existed among our young brethren who dominated the live scene. As generations have changed hands, so too has the music landscape. With the debut Australian tour of Boston soft-grunge/nu-gaze band FLESHWATER, the young faces of tonight proved two things; that ‘soft’ is a very deceptive term, and that the night now, undoubtedly belongs to them.

As the setting sun gives way to city lights in Sydney on a Friday night, it marks the end of the work week for some, but only just the beginning for others. The illuminated Crowbar beckons the outside in, with ‘LIVE MUSIC’ showing punters the way. At 7.15pm the doors opened and the empty band room very slowly begun to fill.

At 8pm those lining up for a drink began joining the floor as the first band kicked off the night’s proceedings. Described as a post-grunge/shoegaze/dream-pop 5-piece from Sydney, FUTUREHEAVEN features 2 guitarists; Kit and Giles, playing a light wash of distortion over dreamy melodies that support the soft unobtrusive vocals of their frontwoman, wearing a flannelette-plaid shirt, Bridie. Supporting vocals and guitars is bassist Charlie, backed up by Harry on the drums, giving body and rhythm, lifting the energy. Listen to their new single ‘Tired Eyes’ and you’ll get a sense of what they’re about. Even though it was short and sweet, by the end of the set the youthful crowd had grown significantly and there was a buzz of excitement as drinks began to flow.

Setting up at the front of the stage were 5 guys from the next band SECRET WORLD, who I would later find out are somewhat of an Aussie supergroup in the post-hardcore scene. These unassuming characters wore dad caps, t-shirts and baggy pants akin to many of those in the crowd, a welcome sight among a new generation. When the drums kicked in, SECRET WORLD instantly sprung into action with vocalist Ryan Pond from DOWNSIDE leading at the front of the stage. The only one wearing shorts and a cut-off singlet was the drummer James Watroba from BEERWOLF, who created the rhythm and groove while simultaneously riding off the back of distorted textures from guitarists Dennis Vichidvongsa (SPEED), Tom Maddocks (DOWNSIDE), Josh Campiao (HAND OF MERCY/HELLIONS) and bassist Adrian Kelly (BEERWOLF). It was clear these guys knew what they were doing as Ryan joined the crowd reaching over the barricade by the end of the very first song.

The mic returned to it’s stand for a more heartfelt punk anthem which had a serious groove from the opening note. The beat permeated the ever growing crowd who bopped their heads in unison and the appreciation was mutual the room.

“We’re stoked to be here Sydney, thanks so much to FLESHWATER for having us. Give it up for FUTUREHEAVEN, they were awesome!”

Introducing ‘Tough Love’ from last year’s demo EP the band slowed it down even more, showcasing their emotional range before launching back into the energetic melodic punk they’re known for. The music of SECRET WORLD isn’t at all one shade but an array of riffs, textures, fills, breakdowns, screams and melodies. Check out their latest EP Guilt is Good and you’ll know what I mean. Ryan talking to the crowd and bringing the music to them on several occasions from the barricade, definitely kept the vibe alive.

Another break, another chance to get a drink… or was there? The crowd were now packed in like sardines for the main act they’d all paid to see. With a flag featuring the duck from their 2022 album We’re Not Here to Be Loved draped over the guitar cab, individual members from FLESHWATER slowly emerged on the stage with short-lived cheers from the crowd. The crowd was left waiting in anxious anticipation as the band set up, with no choice but to sink into the groove of house music. A complete drum kit remodeling was punctuated by explosive guitar and bass sound checks. The next cheers were for the security guards that turned on the wall fans, a welcome relief to the growing heat in the room. When the lights finally went down, the crowd roared as a feedback swell grew loud enough to rupture eardrums before an opening bassline met by a chorus of singing from the crowd. These guys have built a dedicated following in Sydney despite being their first time headlining a tour in Australia.

Even with voices screaming in my ear and headbanging making the earlier crowd look like ripples in the breeze, the music was impossible to ignore. The groove felt heavier than the brick walls around us, and the distortion felt so chunky you could chew on it. The energy of the music was matched on the stage where guitarist Jonathan Lhaubouet jumped as high as the ceiling would let him. Bassist Jeremy Martin on the opposite side of the stage mirrored the same ballistic spins and headbangs that nearly touched the floor beside Anthony DiDio on guitar who led many tracks with his vocals. In the middle was the most recognisable band member, guitarist and vocalist Marisa Shirar playing beside an upturned road case with a vocal effects board. Crowd surfing briefly took the focus off the stage until it became so frequent you’d think it was part of the furniture.

Interaction with the crowd was limited to a few words from Anthony on stage-right who led everyone to sing Happy Birthday to Jonathan on the opposite side. Following that, was ‘Kiss the Ladder’, the most mainstream track of the night met with pure animalism from fans. An audience member ran in front of me to rush the stage and launch himself into the sea below, a crowd who had now turned the photo pit into a waterfall of bodies narrowly missing photographers and keeping security in a job. Everyone was so amped up and having the time of their lives that FLESHWATER didn’t need to talk much between tracks to keep the energy flowing. The stage diving set off a chain reaction throughout the set and by the half-way point, sweat was pouring off the stage. The only moment of relief from the mayhem was during the haunting intro of ‘Closet’, the second track from We’re Not Here to Be Loved. It didn’t take long before the crowd broke into song and surfers were falling into the now empty photo pit with photographers pinned to the sides.

By now I could clearly see why these guys will be supporting DEFTONES and THE MARS VOLTA in 2025. The groove an energy of tracks would be the perfect match for a progressive, nu-metal crowd. The band members very literally wore their influences on their chest as I spotted FAITH NO MORE, THE CURE and AGNOSTIC FROST on their shirts. The energy of the set was so intense that the last song snuck up without warning and when the band put down their instruments and left the stage, the audience was chanting ‘One more song, one more song…’ which turned into ‘… FLESH-WA-TER, FLESH-WA-TER!’. But alas, the house music only grew louder until the lights were turned on and the audience turned away back to the adjoining Crowbar. All in all, it was a fantastic night filled with so many young faces and burgeoning talent that it filled my heart with joy to see the live scene pumping so hard. If you think live music has had it’s day, think again.

Photographer: RA

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