Good Thing Festival 2024 – Rain never stops play!! – Spotlight Report
It is fair to say that it has not been a good year for festivals, with several making the difficult decision to downsize or even pull the plug right at the last minute. Despite SUM41 having to cancel due to lead singer Deryck Whibley’s pneumonia diagnosis (get well soon, Deryck!!!), Good Things Festival seems to have been one of the lucky ones. As far as the punters were concerned – it was GAME ON!!!
Now let’s talk about the weather. The forecast had remained uncertain for days now, vacillating wildly between hot and cold, humid and storms. There is a saying here that ‘we don’t cancel the barbie’ meaning regardless of conditions the show must go on. Surely this was what was running through the minds of the Class of 2024 as they left the pub or dry car dropping them off as they raced to enter the Centennial Park venue.
Festivals are always great for people watching. What people wear and what they do can be as entertaining as the bands you are there to see, and this year was no exception. The Good Things line-up brings a few different and distinct groups to the yard. First there are the metal heads who shun wet weather gear sticking stubbornly to their uniform of jeans, boots and favourite band tee. Then there are the alt-rock group who break out the North Face or Bunnings poncho over shorts, wellies and newly purchased band tee. There are also the novelty brigade who go hard with what to wear whether it be head-to-toe matching shorts and shirts (hats, socks and bumbags! – yes, we saw you!!), then there was fancy dress Santa, Bob the Builder, a Platypus, a Banana and so many Corn (Korn) kernels! Lastly, embracing BRAT summer there are the group who wear whatever the hell they want and if that’s wearing fishnets, swimmers and Doc Martens then so be it. A surprisingly practical dress code considering the weather and frankly, we should all be so BRAT.
As the day kicked off, the bands expressed their appreciation for the not so small crowds that were already gathering. Those in rain ponchos grateful for about five minutes then cursing as the slow ‘boil in a bag’ effect took over as the humidity rose and they realised their Vans were not going to get them through the day (oh the trench foot!!). Early bands like Imminence and Bowling for Soup gave the fans something to work for, demanding circle pits or synchronised arm waving (you’re never too cool for this!) Undeterred, the crowd went for it, much to the amusement of those who decided to watch from under the tree line trying to stay dry with a hot crumble with custard or nachos.
The stage line-ups at Good Things are not necessarily set by genre meaning people either get their step-count up moving between stages throughout the day or stay put and maybe discover a new sound. Bands like Frank Turner and The Sleeping Souls played beside Alpha Wolf, and Jet took to the stage after Mastodon. Hats off to the organisers for having a great mix of local Aussie and international bands as well as spruiking new albums, upcoming tours and a host of side shows. Every little bit counts.
Mid-afternoon highlight was Tassie, nu metalcore band, Alpha Wolf bringing boundless energy to now soggy crowd, at one point shouting ‘are you barking at me? We are Alpha Wolf – howl at us!!!’. Delighted to be playing on the same stage as last year, they seemed grateful that people had turned up to see them and just to be doing what they are doing. A sentiment that seemed to be echoed by all – including (scr)emo, post-hardcore band Sleeping with Sirens and Korn (no intro required), celebrating 30 triumphant years.
The break in the rain finally and ironically came just before Dragon took to the stage.. you have to agree that belting out Rain in the rain would have been a moment! The iconic Kiwi band began the legends part of the day followed by the still iconic The Living End, L7 and later Violent Femmes.
When the rain stopped, the temperature rose and the fair weather fans arrived while the soggy fans raced for sunscreen as they found themselves drying out in blistering sun. Embracing the turn in the weather, was Atlanta, Georgia’s Mastodon, lead singer and bass guitarist Troy Sanders proudly wearing his Men at Work 2024 tour t-shirt. Taking the crowd through a circle pit worthy set, inclusive of the first blazing fire cannons of the day on what was quickly renamed ‘the Pyro Stage’
Closing out Stages 3 &4 for the evening was metal royalty, songwriter and guitar hero, Kerry King (Check our backstage Interview here) bringing the house down with material from his debut solo album From Hell I Rise mixed in with some classic Slayer and a cover of ‘Killers’ as tribute to the Late Iron Maiden frontman Paul Di’Anno, followed by Smashing Pumpkins lead singer (and professional wrestling promoter) Billy Corgan playing with The Delta Riggs.
Over on Stages 1 &2, Electric Callboy got everyone jumping around with their special brand of German humour and ‘electronicore’ which seems to be a spicy mix of Eurovision, a dash of Lonely Island and a whole lot of metal!! A must see if you haven’t seen them before, if only for the wigs, the Cascada remix and the mirror ball headwear.
Last but by no means least – Korn. The band whose merch sold out first, the band that are more than big enough to make 10 hours in a muddy field seem like no big deal. Often referred to as the originators of the nu metal genre, this band shaped a generation – the lyrics helping people make sense of life, growing up and hormones, the logoed hoodies giving people identity and community. Taking to the stage in a bold red Adidas trackie with dreadlocks en-pointe, lead singer JD gave the crowd their instructions to proceed… ‘Sydney!!! Are. You. READDDDYYYYYYY!!!!!’ And with that, a masterclass was delivered.
Thank you as always to the festival organisers, the bands, the crowd carer team (Dance Wize), Auslan Interpreters, Stall holders and to every person in that muddy park during morning helping to restore the peace. Until next year!
