Live Review: Thrice, Glass Tides

A decade's absence can certainly feel like an eternity, especially in the world of music. Thankfully, Thrice were set to reignite their fans, after a three-year hiatus from 2012 to 2015 and more than ten years since their last visit. Their show was undoubtedly a landmark moment for Adelaide devotees of California’s finest experimental post-hardcore outfit.

Adelaide quintet Glass Tides were the sole support and it was an opportunity they were obviously ecstatic about. Not to diminish the five-piece’s talent and professionalism, their sound may not have been quite the right fit for this show, the headliners being arguably the most musically diverse act of their genre. Still in their infant stages, their identity has not quite fully developed and Glass Tides deliver music that nods at their scattershot influences. The single Weighing Down felt like a lost Simple Plan B-side and Alone was basically The Used’s Buried Myself Alive with different lyrics. Their cover of Post Malone's I Fall Apart was unnecessary, however a much heavier version of Savage Garden’s Break Me Shake Me was a triumph. Once they've pinned down their direction there is potential for some fascinating output from this quintet – this is just their opening chapter.

Opening with Hurricane, from their post-hiatus return LP To Be Everywhere Is To Be Nowhere, Thrice floored their admirers. Tracks from almost every stage of the band’s career were executed perfectly, captivating the room. Earlier songs such as Silhouette, The Artist In The Ambulance, Stare At The Sun, Firebreather, Red Sky and Under A Killing Moon were delivered as though Thrice had never taken time away at all and then newer material – Black Honey, Beggars, Just Breathe and The Grey – only increased the audience's rapt fascination.

An encore was predictable but completely earned. Deadbolt and The Long Defeat closed out what will be undoubtedly one of the best post-hardcore concerts Adelaide will witness in 2019, perhaps longer. Dustin Kensrue mentioned during the set that: “Ten years is far too long and we will definitely never do that again, we will be back.” After this performance, we will be waiting.