Live Review: Grinspoon, The Hard Aches, The Gooch Palms, Bugs

Brisbane trio Bugs warm up the growing crowd with an energetic set of indie-pop tunes before the impressively named Gooch Palms keep the good times flowing with their brand of DIY garage-rock. Final support act The Hard Aches recognise the Traditional Owners of the land before treating the swelling mosh to a selection of Aus punk rock. 

After taking a short hiatus following the release of 2013 album Black Rabbits, Lismore quartet Grinspoon got back on the road in 2015 supporting Cold Chisel before embarking on a massive 20th-anniversary tour celebrating their seminal debut album, Guide To Better Living. 

Now the Aussie rock legends are touring again, playing their greatest hits to sold-out audiences across the county. Rampaging on stage with the energy of teenagers, Grinspoon remain a scintillating live act with a back catalogue to match.

Every song of the 22-track setlist is a bonafide rock spectacle that has The Forum jumping and fist-pumping along. Dominated by tracks from the band’s early years, the likes of hit single Just Ace, guitar rocker Secrets and tonight's punch-to-the-face opener DCx3 have the crowd in great spirits.

Grinspoon @ The Forum. Photo by Andrew Briscoe.

Choosing highlights is tough, as the entire performance is worthy of praise. No Reason is a burst of slinky rock-pop that has the audience clapping with gusto. Better Off Dead gets everyone headbanging. Rock Show (You Don't Know Me) incites a mass singalong. It’s hit after hit as the audience quickly get caught up in the nostalgia-filled celebration of Grinspoon.

Phil Jamieson just gets better with age. Despite being in his early 40s, he moves like he did two decades ago. Prancing around the stage, dancing like a madman and generally behaving like the great frontmen men of yesteryear, Jamieson remains one of the country’s most enthralling music personalities. It also helps his voice is pitch perfect and he can still deliver an ear-splitting scream when needed. Jamieson’s ably supported by his tight band, with Pat Davern shredding on lead guitar, Joe Hansen working the bass like a wizard and Kristian Hopes hammering the drums like there’s no tomorrow.

“This is the first single off our first album,” Jamieson states before the front of stage turns into a mass of heaving bodies during Pedestrian. Hard Act To Follow sees the frontman take on guitar duties, a group of drunk middle-aged men hug and sing to each other during Better Off Alone while Jamieson starts Bad Funk Stripe solo from the crowd before joining his band for its epic conclusion.

Grinspoon @ The Forum. Photo by Andrew Briscoe.

Grinspoon take things into heavy territory towards the end with a blistering Black Friday before Post Enebriated Anxiety and 1000 Miles, leaving the stage after an inspired cover of INXS classic Don’t Change.

The encore keeps the majority of crowd from leaving, Chemical Heart, fan favourite Champion and More Than You Are bringing things to a euphoric close as sparks rain down from the ceiling above. 

Grinspoon might be over two decades old but tonight they are the gift that just keeps on giving. True Aussie rock royalty.