GRINSPOON,BAD/DREEMS: Night At Parklands, Brisbane 12/09/25

Words and pix Ali Williams 14/9/25 for Heavy Mag

The year was 1995, the location the sticky, beer-infused floor of the Gollan Hotel, Lismore. A band of three 17-year-old hopeful lads recorded their best demo cassette tape to mail off as their entry for JJJs new competition Unearthed. The prize; a recording contract and a shit tonne of airtime. As they pulled down the handle of that mailbox dumping in their package, the band of unknown lads from Lismore – who called themselves Grinspoon – had just made music history, later being announced as overall winners. 30 years on, they’ve firmly embedded themselves into the hearts and ears of millions of fans worldwide, well and truly earning their place in the ARIA charts Hall of Fame.

Kicking off their 30th Birthday Bonanza Tour in Brisbane at The Parklands, to a sold-out crowd, Grinspoon came out swinging, starting off their set with Champion, followed by Sickfest and Just Ace. The audience instantly erupted into mosh mode as fans sang along to their fave tracks. Grinners undeniably sounded better than ever with frontman Phil Jamieson on vocals and guitar, along with Pat Davern (guitar), Joe Hansen (bass) and Kris Hopes (drums). The band continued to roll out their hits for the punters, performing in total 23 of their all-time bangers, including DCX3, No Reason, Pedestrian, Chemical Heart, Post Enebriated Anxiety, Lost Control and More Than You Are as the finale.

Jamieson was in his element as he flouted around the stage, completely in the moment and loving every minute, as did the crowd. The evolution of his stage presence was undeniable, emulating pure joy performing the band’s known and loved tracks. Proving to all they’ve definitely “still got it”, as they belted out the heavies, Grinspoon also reminded us of their exceptional musical talent performing their soulful acoustic number Minute by Minute.

Notable was also the band’s choice to embrace the use of some old school sound tech, which saw Jamieson using a wired mic. Extra points given for his ability to frolic the stage with a hip twist here and a scissor jump there, all executed with precision, managing to not go on an unplanned trip across the stage into the media pit. The ‘Spoon are taking their Birthday Bonanza across the country and to New Zealand, and several shows are already sold out, set to play in Auckland, Sydney, Adelaide, Perth, Newcastle, Wollongong (with You Am I ), Canberra and Melbourne before finishing up in Launceston {at FESTIVALE Fri 30th January -before an extended hiatus}.

Sending it alongside them at most of the shows are Adelaide’s Bad/Dreems, who delivered an impressive set at Brisbane, heating the punters up to the optimum temperature with opener Loose Content. For their Adelaide and Perth shows, Regurgitator are joining the lads for further birthday celebrations. Limited tickets still available for some shows from https://grinspoon.com.au/tour Presented by Second Sunday, Empire Touring & New World Artists.

Purple Disturbance open for Grinners at:

A NIGHT AT THE BARRACKS (Manly) Sat 4 Oct 5:30-9:30pm 

NEWCASTLE NEX  , WOLLONGONG WAVES & CANBERRA UCU ! Be early.