It is crazy how quickly time passes by.
It seemed like only a couple of years ago that I was following Kingswood around Greater Melbourne in celebration of the release of their debut album, Microscopic Wars. The tour finished with an epic show at Melbourne’s Forum Theatre on the eve of my birthday. However, this wasn’t only a couple of years ago, this was 10 years ago! Not only does this make me feel old, but it is also a special occasion.
Originally released on the 22nd of August 2014, Microscopic Wars turns 10 this month and Kingswood are back on the road in celebration of this special milestone. Kicking off the national tour at Melbourne’s 170 Russell on Friday the 2nd of August. I was also attending as a photographer and spent the first three songs in the photo pit.
Kingswood’s Microscopic Wars 10 Year Anniversary Tour is not like a regular tour. As it is in celebration of the release of their debut album, the Melbourne rockers played the album in its entirety from start to finish. And being a hometown show, I knew we were in for a couple of surprises, but nothing would prepare me for the emotions I would experience.
Presented by Destroy All Lines and Triple M, after two amazing sets by support acts Jacob Fitzgerald & The Electric City and The Delta Riggs, it was time for Kingswood to hit the stage. In classic Kingswood fashion, an obscure song played before they entered the stage. This time, it was ‘Las Cosas Tienen Movimientos’, also known as ‘The Tango’. As the song played and in eager anticipation of their arrival, a hush fell over the excited 170 Russell crowd.
Soon enough, Kingswood stepped onto the stage, one by one, consisting of Alex Laska on guitar and vocals, Fergus Linacre on keys and vocals, Josh Koop on drums, Jack Davies on bass, and new addition for the tour, Nick Gray on guitar. The loud cheers swelled from the audience and Kingswood jumped right into the first track off Microscopic Wars, ‘All Too Much’.
Now, as this is an album tour, it was no surprise that next on the set was ‘Sucker Punch’ and crowd favourite ‘ICFTYDLM (I Can Feel That You Don’t Love Me)’, complete with a wonderful moment of the Melbourne audience singing along aloud to the chorus. Next on the bill was the titular track ‘Micro Wars’, one of my favourites from the album and a track we don’t get to hear much live anymore.
Next was a massive surprise for the long-time fans, the original Kingswood line-up reunion. Seeing former drummer Justin Debrincat and former bassist Jeremy ‘Mango’ Hunter return to the stage in Kingswood for the first time in 10 years. I actually got a little emotional seeing these two back on stage with their bandmates.
It was actually 12 years ago when I first saw these legends perform live in support of The Living End. Playing tracks 5 and 6, ‘So Long’ and ‘Ohio’, it was a sweet trip down memory lane. Aside from having the Kingswood original four-piece back on stage together, the best part of this set was experiencing the song ‘So Long’ in its original extended version, complete with the long solo and jam session.
However, on the album, the song had to be significantly reduced to fit onto the limited 44 minutes available on the standard vinyl record. I could also feel the emotion in Alex Laska’s voice when he mentioned it was the first time in 10 years that the original Kingswood line-up has played together. Definitely a highlight of the evening!
Of course, other album tracks were great to hear live. The short interlude number ‘Hours’, ‘Side to Side’ and the punchy ‘She’s My Baby’. But for me, there were two tracks that I was really excited to hear live, ‘Tremor’ and ‘Eye of the Storm’, easily my two favourite songs on the album and live rarities. In fact, I am unsure if I have ever heard ‘Tremor’ played live at all, so this was a real treat. ‘Eye of the Storm’ is not only my favourite off the iconic album but is up there as one of my favourite Kingswood songs ever and is strangely one that I have only heard live a couple of times.
Closing out the album is the groovy ‘Piece by Piece’ that flows straight into the heavy grungy sound of ‘Chronos’. And just as quickly as the set began, the album was over, and Kingswood had left the stage.
Returning for their encore set, Ferg and Alex began to chat to the crowd, and it wasn’t until they spoke that I realised something very un-Kingswood-like had just taken place. Kingswood had played an entire set without their classic on-stage banter and I had just heard the entirety of their debut album Microscopic Wars live and completely void of any interruptions. A surreal experience that I’d likely never experience again, highlighting how truly special this specific celebratory tour is.
The encore set included some old and some new songs. Opening with ‘Yeah Go Die’ from their debut EP ‘Change of Heart’, Ferg introduced the next track with some crowd participation with a simple 1-2-3-4 count. Although, as it turns out, it wasn’t that simple for some, making for some funny interaction.
After Ferg successfully taught the 170 Russell crowd how to count, Kingswood kicked into ‘Bittersweet’ from their third studio album, Juveniles, which then followed on with another number from this same album, the song ‘Snakepit’, another of my all-time Kingswood faves. Also returning to the stage during this encore set was Kingswood member Braiden Michetti and together the band performed crowd favourite singalong song, the ever catchy ‘Creepin’ from their second studio album, After Hours, Close to Dawn before closing out their set with the heavy rock tune, ‘Medusa’.
If you were to ask me to describe this incredible anniversary show in one sentence, I would have to share that this was an emotional and exciting trip down memory lane. It’s not often that you get the chance to hear one of your favourite albums played live and in full. I can only imagine how exciting this is as well for the band themselves, getting to play tracks live that they once recorded and then left alone.
I also feel extremely lucky bearing witness to the return of original members Justin and Mango in a reunion that I never dreamed would happen. This was definitely a moment that I, like many long-time Kingswood fans, will cherish for a long time. I only hope to relive this in some form digitally, if Kingswood ever release a concert film or documentary of the tour once it’s complete.
Kingswood’s Microscopic Wars 10 Year Anniversary Tour is a bloody fantastic show for old and new fans alike. For newer fans, this tour it is a chance to experience Kingswood’s earlier music live for the first time. For the long-time fans, this epic tour is the perfect opportunity to return to the past and relive the incredible early music of Kingswood who remain one of the best live acts going around.
Kingswood’s Microscopic Wars 10 Year Anniversary Tour is right up there as one of my all-time favourite live music gigs. Not only was it a truly special and unique experience, but last night was definitely a momentous occasion for Australian rock music history. Whether you’ve seen Kingswood multiple times or have yet to see them live, I hope that you take the opportunity to witness this special tour for yourself.
Kingswood’s Microscopic Wars 10 Year Anniversary Tour’s next stop is the Gold Coast at Coolangatta Hotel on Thursday the 8th of August, before heading to The Triffid in Brisbane on the 9th, The Metro Theatre in Sydney on the 10th, King Street in Newcastle on the 11th, Lion Arts Factory in Adelaide on the 16th, Prince of Wales Hotel in Bunbury on the 17th before finishing up on the 18th of August in Perth at Magnet House. Tickets are selling fast, so do not miss this rare opportunity to experience a phenomenal indie rock Aussie album live from start to finish.
For more information and ticketing, visit:
https://www.destroyalllines.com/tours/kingswood
https://www.kingswoodband.com
https://www.instagram.com/kingswoodband
Photography by Grant Alexander.
