HOMEGROWN – SOUNDS OF VICTORIA
@ PICA, MELBOURNE (AU)
MARCH 16, 2024
Homegrown, presented by Destroy All Lines, set Melbourne on fire with the heat and stellar lineup. The first show of its inaugural inception at PICA in Melbourne was precisely the perfect venue with its industrial grit, speaking specifically to the array of Aussie rock on offer. Featuring the likes of Teen Jesus And The Jean Teasers, Waax, Void Of Vision, ENOLA, and Hassall, headlined by Slowly Slowly and Kisschasy, all home-grown acts; what an absolute treat! With Slowly Slowly’s pop punk side project, TOOSLOW, making an appearance and EMO NEVER SLEEPS DJS, keeping the crowd energised between sets β and boy did they ever!
Kicking off the extravaganza, Hassall, with vocalist Matilda Hassall, confidently took the stage, sporting her trademark red cap. They delivered a captivating 30-min set that showcased their talent as performers. From regional Victoria, Matilda Hassall is a genuinely addictive performer with clever and witty lyrics. Her country-soul-esque vocals drew in the sparse audience, and I found her visually stimulating and relatable. Her style has been referred to as “Australian Sharehouse Pop,” which appeals broadly, extending beyond the local scene. Her chilled and smooth performance is light, and it feels like watching a friend perform. Hassall is authentic and genuine, describing one song as being inspired by a bumper sticker that humorously acknowledges the awkwardness of sex; itβs easy to love this set.
Suitably lubricated by Hassallβs smooth set, the crowd is swelling, and thrown into something different, ENOLA brings a delectable mix of post-punk, grunge and shoegaze, quite distinct from Hassall. Debuting in 2019, ENOLA is poignant as Ruby Marshallβs vocal prowess punches through with strength and depth; powerful energy is released. Adorning her Adidas t-shirt, Marshall doesnβt give a fuck β and neither should we.Β Marshallβs stage ownership is inspiring, and a healthy, sweaty rage develops. What I like about ENOLA is the performance’s honesty, which certainly speaks to me.Β βStrange Comfortβ is a recommended standout track.
As the clock strikes 4 in the afternoon, the crowd steadily increases and a solid mass forms at the front and centre of the stage. TOOSLOW is about to take the spotlight, a side project of Slowly Slowly; they burst onto the stage, fuelled by the crowd’s energy, and immediately grabbed everyone’s attention with a clip from American Pie provided as the backdrop. Clearly, they would be a crowd-pleaser, and on this hot day, Ben Stewart, vocalist, shared funny anecdotes about the worst podcast he had ever listened to, setting the tone for their performance.
Their EPs titled This Body Is A Rental and Cool Story speak to their playful manner. This exciting punk band truly knows how to entertain.Β TOOSLOWβs energy was electric, and they had an incredible stage presence, with “Bad Girl” as a standout! Overall, TOOSLOW is a talented and dynamic band that knows how to put on a fun-filled show. They are must-see.
Void Of Vision performed an intense and aggressive show, combining metalcore and deathcore elements. Vocalist Ryan Morrow is a striking figure on stage. Requesting a mosh pit, the audience isnβt as hardcore as he may be used to, but as he unleashes his deep guttural screams and intense stage presence, he captivates the crowd and pulls them out of their slumber. It becomes clear that hardcore fans are in the audience and love every moment of this high-energy performance. The intensity builds as Morrow proves himself to be a true showman, pouring his total energy into the set. The mosh pit grows and rumbles like a washing machine, while the integration of lights adds to the crowd’s frenzy. Void Of Vision is an all-or-nothing experience.
As the performance peaks, Morrow viciously throws and trashes the microphone stand, agitating the crowd further. The circle pit comes alive, ensuring everyone knows they are witnessing the best of Aussie rock. βAngel Of Darknessβ is incredible.
The crowd represents several generations and genres, all adorned in their best festival attire, and could have been confused for a fashion parade.Β Although the temperature was cooling, the crowd was heating up with Waax, who sets the crowd on fire. An Australian punk rock band formed in 2013 from sunny Brisbane, this five-piece powerhouse has a dedicated fan base. It’s refreshing to see so many solid female musicians taking the stage, and it’s becoming apparent that female musicians are well-represented at this festival. Homegrown is setting the standard with its equitable spread of talent.
As Waax takes the stage, Maz DeVita stands out in her white Lirika Matoshi dress which state βIβm so pretty when I cryβ giving off Vivian Westwood vibes. I think this says it all.Β DeVita is a punk goddess, commanding the stage with her presence. Politely borrowing the security guard’s hat and captivating the audience with her powerhouse performance. It’s impossible to look away as she consumes the entire stage. The crowd is energised, and seeing a mix of males and females enjoying the music is fantastic. DeVita directly connects with them all, delivering a powerful performance.Β As the second last song, “It Is What It Is,” begins, DeVita steps out onto the barrier, beckoning the crowd forward in a safe and mesmerising display of showmanship, and the crowd unites.Β I liken DeVita to a goddess of punk, not to be questioned or messed with, but an inspiration.
Teen Jesus And The Jean Teasers is a dynamic and talented Australian indie rock band from Canberra. Vocalist and guitarist Billie McCarthy is a standout, along with fellow members, and for some reason, I always get Veruca Salt vibes from these women.
Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers were ready to kick off their performance ten minutes early; the anticipation leading up to the start of their set must have felt like an eternity as they tinkered with their kit.Β Their stage presence is engaging, even without relying on grand gestures or much movement. The band members hold their designated positions, allowing the quality of their music to speak for itself. Despite the gentle nature of their set, it seamlessly integrates with Kisschasy’s upcoming performance.Β The crowd remained well-behaved throughout the set, and the security measures were adequate. The band’s nostalgic sound transports the audience back to the 90s, and the closing song, “Pretty Good For A Girl Band,” leaves a lasting impression. For me, βSaltβ is the obvious standout.
The energy level rises with the EMO NEVER SLEEPS DJ set, and the crowd transforms into a dance party. The familiar tunes, like My Chemical Romance’s “Teenagers” and The Veronica’s “Untouched,” ignite the crowd and create an electrifying atmosphere β in a frenzy, and I have come to understand that emo transcends genres, bringing people together to have a great time and dance the night awayβthrilling.
Kisschasy, the beloved Aussie rock band that captured hearts with hits like βDo-Do’s & Whoa-Oh’sβ and βSpray On Pants,β has returned triumphantly to the music scene. Formed in 2002, they quickly developed a loyal fanbase, only to leave us wanting more when they announced their split via Facebook in 2015. But to the delight of fans everywhere, they made a surprise comeback at the Good Things Festival in 2022, performing their album United Paper People. The crowd, a vibrant tapestry of young and old from all walks of life, revelled in the nostalgia and energy of the performance.
Vocalist Darren Cordeux, whose effortless charisma embodies rock star allure, led the charge with a solo vocal and guitar performance against the striking Kisschasy banner. The setlist was a hit parade, with βDinosaurβ and βThe Shakeβ paving the way for fan favourites that had everyone singing along. It’s been nearly two decades since βSpray On Pantsβ hit the airwaves, yet it felt as fresh as ever.
The question on everyone’s lips is whether this will be our last encounter with Kisschasy. But after their stellar appearances at Good Things, their 2022 and their Australian Tour 2023, and now the Homegrown, there’s hope that this isn’t a final bow but a new beginning for a band that has left an indelible mark.
Up next, Slowly Slowly! Kicking off with “Daisy Chain” and “Alchemy”, vocalist Ben Stewart steps onto the stage with a crisp white t-shirt and a devilish grin, ready to bring something unique to the night’s performance. For an alternative rock band, they unite all the genres on show tonight. Utilising the entire stage and strategically placed wallpaper backdrops, I find the clever incorporation of intense light and dark visually stimulating, correlating with the play on light and dark themes of Slowly Slowly’s lyrical smorgasbord. Stewart proclaims, βSend it!β and send it they do.
As mentioned before, their alternative rock, poppy undertone, speaks directly to this audience; the crowd has filled out now, singing passionately. Slowly Slowly’s music is characterised by its introspective, somewhat heartfelt lyrics, melodies, and powerful instrumentals, creating a unique and captivating musical experience. Their releases have garnered critical acclaim and helped the band establish a dedicated fanbase worldwide.
An energetic live performance, well worth the wait, utilising the entire stageβoverall, Slowly Slowly can only be described as compelling. βGodβ is the standout for me. There’s something honest in their storytelling; they are a notable act not to be missed.
What seems to be a consistent theme with most artists is the common thread of personal growth, self-reflection, and navigating through life’s ups and downs. This speaks more to the times; music has a particular way of capturing social topics of the day, and it seems mental health is the issue these daysβor maybe itβs just more recognised.
Homegrown, brought to you by Destroy All Lines, truly set Melbourne ablaze with its electrifying performances! Now, they’re gearing up to rock Ballarat on the 23rd of March. Note the venue shift from Kryal Castle to Civic Hall βa change you’ll want to track. Ensure you’re there; it’s an experience that promises zero regrets!
β Victoria Love-Rainbow
(Photography by Victoria Love-Rainbow)
Photos
Destroy All Lines Links
Slowly Slowly Links
Kisschasy Links
