Photos By Marc K’Nell
Sydney brought the heat, and so did this year’s Good Things Festival. With a line-up that spanned everything from emotional melodies to crushing riffs and nostalgic bangers, it was a day packed with energy, excitement, and a fair share of surprises. Here’s the rundown of how it all went down.
Imminence: Setting the Bar High
Kicking off the day for us, Sweden’s Imminence opened with a dynamic set that showcased their unique blend of melody and metal. Starting strong with Paralyzed, they moved through haunting tracks like Ghost and Erase, building an emotional intensity. They ended with the crushing heaviness of The Black, where Eddie poured his entire soul into his violin, screaming into it with raw emotion before fading out with a beautiful violin outro. This powerful performance set the tone for the entire day, and we knew right then we were in for a truly memorable experience.
Bowling For Soup: Pop-Punk Party Central
Bowling For Soup brought the fun and chaos, fueled by a crowd that included two Santa’s, Donald Trump, Jesus, Perry the Platypus, Waldo and plenty of KoRns on the Cob. Belting out hits like Girl All the Bad Guys Want and High School Never Ends, they had everyone reliving their youth, singing along, and laughing at the band’s tongue-in-cheek antics. It was the perfect mix of humour and nostalgia.
The Butterfly Effect: Aussie Rock Royalty
Australia’s own The Butterfly Effect delivered a flawless set, packed with emotion and power. Clint Boge’s soaring vocals on tracks like Worlds on Fire and Reach had the crowd captivated, but it was One Second of Insanity that really got us talking. They slowed the bridge down, and Clint unleashed a mighty death growl that I’d never heard from him before. This was a masterclass in atmospheric rock, reminding us why they’re still one of Australia’s most cherished bands.
Alpha Wolf: Pure Chaos Unleashed
Melbourne heavyweights Alpha Wolf hit like a freight train. From the bone-crushing Akudama to the pit-destroying Sucks 2 Suck, their energy was relentless. The mosh pit went off, and you could feel the raw emotion and aggression pouring from the stage. Alpha Wolf proved why they’re at the forefront of modern heavy music in Australia and show no signs of slowing down.
The Living End: Aussie Classics Still Hit Hard
We only caught a slice of The Living End, but even in that short time, they delivered. Closing with the iconic White Noise and Prisoner of Society, they had everyone singing along and jumping in unison. This is Aussie rock at its finest which left us thirsty for more.
Northlane: Metal Meets Atmosphere
The rain had poured down through much of the day, but by the time Northlane hit the stage, the clouds cleared just enough to leave behind a heavy humidity that had us all sweating. Opening with Carbonized, their heavy, atmospheric sound cut through the air, with 4D following closely behind to keep the momentum going. Marcus Bridge’s vocal range was on full display, particularly during Dante and Afterimage, where his versatility effortlessly shifted between clean and harsh styles in what can only be described as jaw-dropping. Closing with Clockwork, Northlane proved once again why they continue to carry the torch for Australian metalcore. With their tight, layered sound and raw energy, their future is undeniably bright.
Dragon: Timeless Tunes
While we only caught a little taste, Aussie rock legends Dragon brought smiles to faces with their timeless classics April Sun in Cuba and Rain. Their music brought a refreshing singalong vibe to the day, proving that great songs never go out of style.
Mastodon: A Pyro-Fueled Powerhouse
When Mastodon took the stage, they definitely turned up the heat—literally. With epic tracks like Pushing the Tides and Iron Tusk, the band delivered a crushing set, but it was Steambreather that really stood out for me. The jaw-dropping pyro display at the end of the song was an absolute highlight, adding a fiery intensity to the already electrifying performance. By the time Blood and Thunder closed the show, the combination of the music and humidity had us all drenched in sweat, with the flames offering some welcome heat to dry us off.
Electric Callboy: A Show-Stealing Performance
Electric Callboy didn’t just play a set—they owned the festival. By the time they hit the stage, the weather had turned around perfectly, with the sun setting just in time to create the ideal atmosphere for their explosive performance. Opening with Tekkno Train and MC Thunder II (Dancing Like a Ninja), they immediately set the crowd on fire. With glitter cannons, pyrotechnics, costume changes, and infectious energy, the band delivered a full-blown party that had everyone singing, dancing, and laughing from start to finish.
Tracks like Hypa Hypa, Pump It, and Spaceman kept the crowd bouncing, laughing, and screaming along. A highlight of the set was their cover of Everytime We Touch, which got the crowd dancing and singing with pure joy.
The band also delivered their 2024 hit RATATATA, a collaboration with BABYMETAL, with their part playing on the massive backdrop behind them. As the band powered through their set, they paid a special tribute to Sum 41, who had to pull out due to Deryck Whibley’s illness, by covering a small part of Still Waiting. Frank Zummo, filling in on drums after just eight hours of practice due to David being unable to play because of an emergency, helped make this tribute even more memorable.
Electric Callboy closed their set with We Got the Moves, ending with a final stream of confetti during the last drop. Their performance was the perfect mix of high-energy, fun, and pure chaos, and it’s clear that they’re destined to headline this festival one day.
KoRn: Nu- Metal Legends Closing the Show
When it comes to closing a festival, few do it better than KoRn. The legendary band brought an unforgettable set that left no doubt about their place at the top of the metal world. They kicked off their performance with Here to Stay, setting the tone for a night full of classics and deep cuts. The crowd went wild as they dove straight into Dead Bodies Everywhere, followed by the crowd anthems Got the Life and A.D.I.D.A.S. With every song, KoRn proved why they’ve remained a defining force in metal for three decades.
The set featured some of their most iconic tracks, like Good God, Hey Daddy, and Blind, all of which kept the energy at an all-time high. But it was the deep cuts that really had fans talking. Ball Tongue and Clown brought listeners back to the roots of the band, reminding us of the raw, unfiltered aggression that made KoRn pioneers of nu-metal.
A brief pause during Ball Tongue added an unexpected twist to the show, building suspense before the band surged forward with renewed energy. The tension in the air made the rest of the performance all the more intense.
As they moved into Shoots and Ladders, the band gave the crowd a moment of pure magic with the bagpipes, instantly followed by a surprise snippet of Metallica’s One, paying tribute to the metal greats in true KoRn fashion.
The setlist continued to deliver with Twist, Make Me Bad, and Y’All Want a Single, bringing high-energy tracks and crowd favorites that had everyone headbanging and singing along. But it was the encore that sealed the deal, as they brought out Falling Away From Me and Oildale (Leave Me Alone) before finally ending the night with the unforgettable Freak on a Leash.
KoRn’s ability to command the stage and keep the energy flowing was nothing short of spectacular. They’ve been at the top of the metal game for over 30 years, and this performance proved that they’re nowhere near slowing down. Bring on year 40, because KoRn isn’t going anywhere.
Wrapping It Up
From soaring anthems to brutal breakdowns, Good Things Festival Sydney 2024 had it all. The diverse line-up kept things fresh, and the energy from both the bands and the crowd made for an unforgettable day. After the rain, the weather couldn’t have been better for Electric Callboy’s set, which capped off the day in pure festival bliss. If this year was anything to go by, the future of this festival is bigger and brighter than ever.
Stay tuned to Metal on Tap for more festival reviews, interviews, and all things heavy. Until next year, Sydney! 🤘 (More photos below)
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