BEACH BALLS, BANGERS AND BEEF | GOOD THINGS FESTIVAL

LIVE REVIEW | GOOD THINGS FESTIVAL | FLEMINGTON RACECOURSE, MELBOURNE by Kayleigh Nickson

While festival season may have come to an end in the Northern hemisphere, down here in Australia we are just getting started! The first of the season took us to Good Things Festival at Melbourne‘s Flemington Racecourse. Featuring a diverse mix of both international and Australian acts, the festival primarily focusing on the more alternative side of the scale with some of the bigger names being TOOL, Weezer, Garbage, and New Found Glory. A huge event for Australian music, Good Things Festival 2025 runs over 3 consecutive days, delivering the same stacked line up in 3 different cities. Following the first here in Melbourne, the show moves across to Sydney and then finally, Brisbane. A very sunny day filled with mixed emotions that only frozen cocktails stood a chance of sorting things out.

First of all, this festival is one of the most accessible festivals I have ever been to and while I don’t personally need to access to these amenities, I always look around for them to see what is available. Their access viewing platforms for all stages (except stage 5 which didn’t need it as it was the smallest stage) were bigger than ones at some of the major UK festivals, and they utilised the pavement areas to their advantage when planning the site map so that they could be used as much as possible. Meanwhile over on the 2 main stages there was a sign language interpreter throughout the entire day, even projected onto the screens so everyone could benefit. A massive win for the alternative community, on behalf of my disabled friends, I’m very grateful Good Things Festival is committed to improving fan accessibility. 

Causing A Scene

Scene Queen, the metal Barbie, has been on my ‘to watch’ list for a while and I’m glad I finally got the chance to see her. The most notable part of her set was her last song. ’18+’ – a protest against the sexual misconduct and predatory behaviour within the alternative music scene. Since the release of this song, there has always been speculation about which band in particular Scene Queen was referring to, especially during the bridge where there is an automated voice saying ‘The allegations that have been made against a member of [beep beep beep] are a matter we do not take lightly’.

Joking that she legally cannot name any names, Scene Queen adds that she won’t stop others from saying who they think it is. The crowd wasted no time in shouting out their suspicions and without naming any names, American emo punks All Time Low surreptitiously addressed the claims swapping the line “damned if I do ya” to “damned if I sue ya” from their 2009 track ‘Dammed If I Do Ya (Dammed If I Don’t)’. A change that may have gone unnoticed to the unsuspecting crowd, but a quick quip for anybody listening closely.

Clash of The Bands

My only clash for the day was Wargasm and Stand Atlantic and I tried my hardest to see them both. I started with Wargasm on stage 5 (which I believe that they should’ve been on a bigger stage). It was my first time seeing the London duo – I had previously seen Sam Matlock while he was in the band DEAD! So I knew the energy was going to be wild, these guys did not disappoint. Next time I get the chance, I want to be able to see a full set by them as the atmosphere was incredible.  

Hoping I still had time, I ran over to the main stage and managed to catch the second half of Stand Atlantic‘s set. Originally supposed to be The All American Rejects – who unfortunately had to drop out last minute due to a family emergency (as did Knocked Loose, you would never know that they only had 36 hours’ notice to prepare and the band were met with an enthusiastic turnout. The excitement peaked during ‘Pity Party’ when the crowd became actively involved, successfully crowd-surfing two crew members using inflatable boats and later releasing beach balls which would later becoming an event in itself.

Feeling The Heat

Back to stage 5 for an unmissable set from Fever 333‘ (another band who deserved a much bigger stage) and whilst I may not know many of their songs, I do know their energy and it is irresistible. It was exactly what I expected; water bottles flying around, Jason climbing around, crowd surfing and mosh pits. During my favourite song ‘$WING’, lead singer Jason Aalon Butler crowd surfing over the mosh pits. It was one of those moments that will stick with everybody there for a long time. The band’s political nature was expected, but I especially valued their gesture of acknowledging that they were playing on Aboriginal land, and even giving a shout out to Australian advocate Mudrat.

No Beach Balls

Garbage‘s set was a memorable one for all the wrong reasons. While the band’s delivery of nostalgic hits was amazing, the overall atmosphere was unfortunately ruined by frontwoman Shirley Manson‘s strong sour objection to the beach balls being used by the audience –“No beach balls at a fucking rock show!” I so wanted to enjoy their set but the Scottish singer’s attitude ruined the vibe for the whole thing and I couldn’t wait for them to get off the stage. 

Taking it even further, Manson singled out one particular festival go-er who had a hat with birthday balloons attached to it. Towards the end going straight into attack this poor guy, she said:“Oh, you’re getting rid of the balloons now? Oh yeah, you big douche. Oh my god, you’re just so cool. This is just so fucking outrageous.

It’s disrespectful and musicians have had enough, and we’re fed up of not getting paid properly, and fed up of having to play for douche bags like you. You’re a fucking middle aged man in a fucking ridiculous hat and you’re a fucking fuck face. I literally wanna fucking ask people to punch you in the fucking face but you know what? I’m a lady so I won’t. But truly, I would love to send my crew over to fucking mess you up but you know, I won’t because I pity you because you’re a small man with a small dick.” 

I 100% agree with musicians needing to be paid properly but the rest? Totally uncalled for Shirley. Nobody had a clue where that came from.

 

By the end of the day, I was exhausted and badly sunburnt. I want to say a thank you to the security (and one random guy) who offered up factor 50 suncream, it didn’t matter how much I put on, it was too late. Despite that, it was still an incredible day. 

Don’t forget; no beach balls around Shirley Manson and slip, slop, slap. 

FULL GALLERY

TOOL

Palaye Royale

Weezer

Yours Truly

New Found Glory

All Time Low

Bad Nerves