Review: Grinspoon @ The Princess Theatre Brisbane 19.10.24

In the sweltering confines of Brisbane’s iconic Princess Theatre, Grinspoon demonstrated to a sold-out crowd just why they’ve remained Australian rock royals for three-plus decades. Now midway through their most ambitious venture to date – a staggering 43-show national tour – the band delivered a career-defining performance, proving this is no nostalgia act.

The night began with IXARAS, whose raw energy belied their youth. Their distinctive blend of garage punk and coastal indie provided more than just preliminary entertainment; it offered a glimpse into Australian rock’s promising future. Following them, Melbourne’s Press Club unleashed a hurricane of punk authenticity, with singer Nat Foster’s acrobatic stage presence electrifying the venue with a headline performance, posing as a support act.

 

a picture of Phil Jamieson from the band Grinspoon, singing against a monotone backdrop

When Grinspoon took the stage in their humble way, they opened with “Unknown Pretenders” from their latest release “Whatever, Whatever”, their first studio offering in twelve years. The choice spoke volumes: this wasn’t going to be a mere greatest hits exercise. Phil Jamieson, sporting his trademark anarchic charisma, orchestrated the crowd with the precision of a veteran conductor and the spirit of a teenage troublemaker.

The setlist architecture revealed a band confident enough to let their new material stand alongside certified classics; each transition felt deliberate, building a narrative that spanned their evolution from scrappy skate-punk upstarts to alternative rock institutions. The inclusion of Press Club’s Nat Foster for a beautiful mid-set collaboration provided an inspired interlude, bridging generational gaps in Australian rock.

By the time they launched into their now-iconic interpretation of INXS’ “Don’t Change,” the atmosphere had shifted from mere concert to communal celebration. The floor flexed dangerously under the weight of eight hundred bodies moving in perfect synchronization. “Chemical Heart” transformed into a mass choir practice, while “Champion” induced the kind of frenzy usually reserved for spiritual awakening.

Watching Grinspoon command a stage in 2024 offers a masterclass in longevity. Unlike many of their contemporaries who treat regional tours as obligation, they attack each performance with evangelical fervor. Their new material resonates with the same urgency that first earned them attention in the ’90s, suggesting that their story is far from over.

As the final notes of “More Than You Know” faded into the Brisbane night, one truth became undeniable: in an era where rock bands often age into irrelevance, Grinspoon has discovered the secret to perpetual motion. They’re not preserving history, they’re still making it.

a picture of Grinspoon guitarist Pat Davern, playing a gibson les paul against a spotlight backdrop

More photos from the show can be found here.

In the leadup to the tour, we spoke to bassist Joe Hansen about being one in of Australia’s most valuable exports. Read our interview here.