By Krista Melsom
Knotfest sideshows ignited in spectacular fashion last night at Fortitude Music Hall. The sight of a massive line of eager fans stretching down Brunswick St Mall made it easy to forget it was a school or work night. Unlike many gigs where crowds gradually fill the venue, last night was different—fans arrived in droves as soon as the doors opened, packing the place well before the first act even stepped on stage. Once things kicked off, it was clear why no one wanted to miss a second.
Melbourne’s own Ocean Grove brought the energy as they hit the stage, serving up their signature mix of nu-metal chaos and catchy grooves. Most of their set was packed with tracks from ODDWORLD, pulling the crowd straight into their wild, unpredictable world. A standout moment saw studio member Luke “Poochy” Holmes join the band on stage for ‘CELL DIVISION’ and ‘Stratosphere Love’, adding an extra layer of intensity to an already electrifying show. From start to finish, Ocean Grove kept the energy sky-high, proving they’re a force to be reckoned with and giving everyone a taste of what’s next for the band.
Thornhill were up next, and as a seasoned fan of their live shows, I knew I was in for a treat. They didn’t disappoint, delivering yet another electrifying performance that saw their sound grow even heavier and more polished. Each time I’ve seen them, they’ve upped the ante, and this show was no exception. Their energy was palpable, and the crowd fed off it, especially during the debut of their new track, ‘TONGUES’, which was met with a rousing reception. It’s clear that Thornhill are a band destined for even greater success—they’re intoxicating to watch, and their evolution promises even bigger things on the horizon. Watch this space…
A quick backstory before we dive into the headliner of the night:
For years, my friend Kell has been trying to get me into A Day To Remember, urging me to dive into their discography. While I’d seen them live before and enjoyed it, I never fully committed to their music, aside from a few tracks. After staying for an entire set, though, I get it now. This is the same friend who convinced me to finally listen to Parkway Drive after years of brushing them off— so I’ll be taking her music recommendations more seriously from now on.
A Day To Remember’s live show is a spectacle that goes beyond the music – it’s an experience. The band kicked things off with the classic ‘Sticks and Bricks’, and from there, the energy never let up. Confetti guns exploded at the end of the track, signalling just how wild the night was going to be. With CO2 jets, flames, inflatable balls, streamers, and even toilet rolls flying through the air, the whole show felt like a larger-than-life spectacle.
The band premiered several new tracks from their freshly released Big Ole Album Vol. 1, including ‘Feedback’, ‘LeBron’, ‘Make It Make Sense’ and ‘Miracle’. With most of the crowd already familiar with the songs, they sang along with great enthusiasm. Lead singer Jeremy McKinnon was in his element, actively engaging with the audience—pointing, waving, and making eye contact, creating a genuine connection with the crowd. At one point, he invited the crowd to participate in a special type of crowd surfing: surfing on top of other crowd surfers. He warned the audience about the dangers, and yet, the chaos and excitement that followed were exhilarating. The perfect timing of the crowd’s participation made it feel like a beautifully orchestrated chaos.
The band revealed that their goal for the night was to fit as many songs as possible into the 90-minute set, cutting a few short but still making each one feel complete. Jeremy shared a funny story about how they stopped playing ‘Violence’ from Common Courtesy because the audience would just stare at them blankly, for fans to then turn around and ask why it was never played live. The crowd’s eruption at the mention of it only solidified how beloved that era is for long-time fans.
The highlight of the night for many in the crowd – including me – was when the band covered ‘Since U Been Gone’ by Kelly Clarkson. The sheer joy on everyone’s face, combined with the shock of hearing a track that was so unexpected, made it a standout moment in the set. This was followed by a short rendition of ‘You Be Tails, I’ll Be Sonic’ with a playful Sonic the Hedgehog montage playing behind them.
The encore took a fun twist as the band grabbed acoustic guitars and joked with the crowd, telling them the first song would only work if they didn’t sing along. They started Nirvana’s ‘Come As You Are’, but paused right after the first line, “Come,” knowing the audience would inevitably sing along. This playful moment highlighted the band’s lightheartedness before they launched into ‘If It Means a Lot to You’. As the song started, a sea of phone lights flickered to life, with one lone lighter adding to the glow, creating an intimate, emotional atmosphere. It was a sight to remember – people hugging, singing, and even couples slow dancing to the song. The emotion in the air was palpable, and it was clear that this song held a special place in many hearts.
To wrap things up, they played ‘The Downfall of Us All’, but not before squeezing in a surprise—or perhaps a bit of forgetfulness—by adding ‘NJ Legion Iced Tea’ before the grand finale.
All in all, A Day To Remember’s performance was a masterclass in balancing their heavier roots with their more emotional side, while putting on one of the most visually stimulating live shows you’ll ever see. Last night was truly A Day to Remember… Dad (or in this case, Mum) jokes aside, the night exceeded all expectations and then some.