Review: SCENE QUEEN - Live in Brisbane
Written by: Tom Wilson
Photos by: Tracy McLaughlan
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Saturday 7th September 2024
Girls Gone Wild in Brisbane
Doors are delayed by half-an-hour, and the line of “Bimbos” – loyal subjects of the SCENE QUEEN – is stretching down the block and around the corner. The outfits are incredible, and SENSE – wearing the same shirt I wear to every gig because at 6’7” I may as well be a billboard – feels positively underdressed.
The vibe is elated. This is SCENE QUEEN’s first trip to Australia, and the fans have turned out in droves. The whole tour is sold out. We file inside, and after scoring some sick merch we watch as PENI PARKER kicks the night off. Armed with only a mic, backing tracks and a ferocious drummer, she instantly commands the stage, and has no trouble filling the space normally occupied by guitarists. Her voice is huge, and as she dedicates a track to everyone in the room who has been in a toxic relationship, she gets everyone in the Brightside raising a middle finger to the roof, before bringing the set to a close with a huge rendition of Curse. We’re off to a strong start.
Pictured: PENI PARKER
A booming, deep voice comes over the P.A., and CHEZ takes to the stage, taking control of the crowd so quickly and so proficiently you’d swear she was the headliner. They are here, she tells us, to get the crowd loose and ready for the main event, and she succeeds admirably, busting out a fantastic rendition of the Britney Spears classic Toxic and even pulling a SLIPKNOT, getting the pit to crouch down before leaping into the air as one.
Pictured: CHEZ
As the tallest bloke at almost every gig, I’m usually in a half-lunge against the barrier to be part of the show without blocking people’s view, but I know that tonight isn’t about me, and the Bimbos would probably kick my arse, so I tuck myself up the back next to the sound desk and watch the Brightside become an altar of women’s empowerment and pride. As the lights go down and the SCENE QUEEN logo pops up on the screen, the crowd roars and starts chanting her name. The vibe is electric, and as the band emerge, it reaches fever pitch.
Pictured: SCENE QUEEN
The woman of the hour launches herself on stage, and they drop into the djent bounce of Pink Push Up Bra. The temperature in the room skyrockets during 18+, and by the end of the song she is covered in sweat. Mutual Masturbation is a scathing takedown of the boy’s club atmosphere backstage at music festivals, and she is handed a bedazzled pink cowboy hat that she dubs “the Holy Trinity” and dons it for the country-meets-metalcore banger MILF (which, contrary to popular belief, stands for “Man I Love Fuckin’”). With a laugh she mentions that she wanted to bring the sorority culture to her shows, but soon realised that she is from the only country that has sororities. She finds two willing volunteers and brings them onstage, inducting them into the SCENE QUEEN family. Then it’s time for a ballad, and there isn’t a dry eye in the house as she sings Climax for her “ride or die” partner Joey … until the sound of a phone ringing interrupts the show. What’s going on? At first we think it’s the drummer, until she realises that it’s her phone, which she answers … to kick off the intro to Barbie & Ken. Joey grabs a mic, and the two of them duke it out onstage. It’s glorious.
Pictured: SCENE QUEEN
How do you finish a set like this? Why not a song about cutting a catcaller’s dick off? Pink Rover brings things to a storming close, and SCENE QUEEN bids farewell to her first Brisbane audience with a wave and a beaming smile. Confrontational, hyperactive and absolutely sensational. Come back soon!
Photos by: Tracy McLaughlan
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