Full Tilt Festival at Eatons Hill Hotel 23rd April 2022
Photos & Review By: Brad Fry
Driving over to the Eaton Hills Hotel the sky had me guessing, and just when I thought I knew what was happening, it changed. The 15 minutes I spent behind the wheel saw me encounter grey clouds (without rain), grey clouds (with rain, both heavy and light) and blue sky. Was the weather going to shine favourably on us all? Only time would tell. As a music photographer, the Eaton Hills ballroom has always been an iconic venue for me. On my bucket list of venues, I have seen so many amazing shots of performers doing their thing underneath the ballroom’s classic millwork. To find myself with the opportunity to shoot and review the Full Tilt Festival at this venue was a very surreal moment for this photog. After having two postponments, due to COVID, the team battled through to bring the festival back in April. Not only was the ballroom in play but there was an outdoor stage giving punters double the fun for the day with a stacked line up set to explode on both stages. Rawing In The Pit sent me along and here’s how I spent my day. Full Tilt Brisbane, let’s go!
*Late Mail*
Unfortunately Bennies had to pull out of the festival due to health reasons. We wish the guys a speedy recovery and hope they are back to their rocking best ASAP.
Sydney-based band Reliqa drew first blood, kicking off the days action on the outdoor stage. The crowd were ready and made their way to the front of the stage while the band unloaded their form of pure prog joy. As their set rolled on you could see the enjoyment on the faces of the band members and it had the crowd frothing for more. Exuberant front woman Monique touched the crowd with her incredible vocals and the band sounded tight and ridiculously gig fit. Reliqa set the bar high for the bands that would follow them and I couldn’t think of a better, more epic way to start the day. Go and check out their music if you haven’t before. It’ll take you on an enjoyable journey that you won’t want to end.
At the stroke of two o’clock, the lights went down in the ballroom and the cheers reverberated around the room. Brisbane-based band Stepson were about to take the stage and the punters couldn’t have been more excited! The boys were opening the day’s antics on the ballroom stage and the local lads always draw a big and enthusiastic crowd. Missing their regular front man due to an injury, guitarist Nicholas Farr held down vocal duties and Robert Southern was back on stage filling in for Nicholas. The crowd went absolutely crazy from the first song to the last, and the moshing started very early. The band were all over the stage and displayed amazing energy and enthusiasm. Nicholas got down in the photo pit at one stage and thrust the mic into a sea of fans singing along with him. Like moths to a bright flame, they surged as close as they could while those upstairs watched on with delight. Every time Stepson take the stage they leave nothing in the bag. The guys pour out their heart and soul into every performance and leave all those in attendance blown away.
Tassie boys Luca Brasi took to the outdoor stage full of smiles at the warm reception handed to them by the Full Tilt crowd that had gathered around the outdoor stage. “How the fuck are you Brisbane?” asked front man, Tyler Richardson. The answer was a resounding cheer from the accumulating crowd (which I interpreted as “stoked to see you Luca Brasi, thanks very much”). The boys came out swinging and didn’t let up as they delivered their brand of energetic punk rock. There was so much choral singing and clapping from the crowd that the set had the fun festival feel that has been missing for so long (COVID you suck). The smiles on the crowds faces were only matched by those of the band and their contagious energy made for a super fun set. The bands Facebook bio says “Empty bottles, full hearts and no regrets” and that is just how they left the stage and all those in attendance (just replace bottles with cans, it was a festival after all). Luca Brasi are loyal soldiers to their craft (just like their namesake) and top shelf entertainers.
Justice For The Damned were next to take the ballroom stage and, as they did a quick sound check, everybody in attendance got a prequel for the brutality that was to follow… we were not mistaken! A sea of punters swarmed the room awaiting the Sydney-based band to take the stage. As the electricity in the room reached fever pitch, it began! From the first song the band had the crowd pumping with their hard hitting music and ridiculously tight performance. The twin guitar attack of Kieran and Nicholas roared from the stage (met by the cheers and screams from the crowd) as Bobak Rafiee delivered his vocals with savagery and power. The lockstep bass and drums pumped through the room (and your chest) forcing heads to bang in unison as far as the eye could see. I went upstairs to watch the crowd after our time in the pit was over. The floor below me was absolute chaos, filled with fans in a massive circle pit, the heaving mass did not let up! I can only imagine what the band were feeling up on stage as all this happened in front of them. “Pain is Power, pain is power. Pain is pure. Pain is power” Bobak roars on the title track of their 2020 album and there was nothing but power delivered by the guys on the stage during their set! It was an incredible thing to experience!
Have you ever watched two friends catch up after a long time apart? Maybe it’s at a pub or restaurant that they arrange to meet at a certain time on a certain day. They lock eyes when they arrive and smile, maybe they hug and a space is chosen to sit. The conversations are loud and there are laughs and smiles throughout. They reminisce on old times and talk about what has happened since they last met. Future plans are discussed and at its end, the friends insist on not letting it go so long before they catchup again. This is what the whole Slowly Slowly set felt like. It felt like old friends catching up after too long apart. There was an infectious joy that washed over the crowd, the band wanted to be there and it was more than evident in their performance. Amazing stagecraft combined with smiles and pure fun. As Frontman Ben Stewart took his place in front of the microphone, he seemed to have a look on his face that said, it’s been too long. The crowd loved them and like a conversation held over a meal, there were smiles and laughs from both sides of the photo pit (in it too by the way). We need to catch up again soon Slowly Slowly, let’s not leave it so long though.
Wow! Wow, wow, wow! Void of Vision know how to put on a show and the 4 piece band from Melbourne were the epitome of going at Full Tilt! The stage was dark as the band kicked into their first song. Front man Jack Bergin arrived at the mic in goggles that resemble those that a welder might where, outstretched his arms and proceeded to tear the stage to shreds! There was no let up to their skull crushing and ruthless musical prowess. The crowd were wild for the guys and if the stage was twice as long Void Of Vision would have covered every inch go it! I constantly had to snap myself out of punter mode, when I found myself watching the performance instead of shooting it. It is hard to put into words just how incredible the show was with all members of the band displaying the stage craft and musicianship of the headline act that they so clearly are. They are a tight unit that have that X factor that all great bands do. I could have shot these guys all day and was in awe at what I saw and heard from them! Bravo guys, that was killer!
As I walked toward the outdoor stage for Thy Art Is Murder, I was drawn to the skeleton-adorned microphone stand, I knew we were in for a treat! The Sydney-based 5 piece are an absolute monster of a band, the complete package from their look, to their sound and their performance. All of these aspects were on show as they laid waste to the Full Tilt stage during their blistering set. Heavy enough to create their own gravity (I swear) the crowd were pulled into the stage area at a great rate of knots. While the astonishingly tight and brutal rhythms exploded from the stage, front man, CJ leapt around with his head covered by a black hood and his demonic like vocals accosting you without relent or repent. Watching their show from the outskirts of the stage was like watching the ocean crashing onto rocks, an unstoppable force that will change all it touches. I saw shoes, shirts and people getting ejected from all angles as the set rolled on. Pure insanity ran rampant through the crowd as the music rained down on them. From the stage as the madness took hold, Andy Marsh’s yellow XXXX bucket hat barely hid his rye smile. Thy saw what they had made, and it was good!
Closure were meant to be the first band on the ballroom stage but found themselves moved up the set. The Sydney trio hit the stage with the all built up tension of having to wait and put on a great show. Front woman Lucy May ran to the mic and proceeded to rock hard in the bands trademark style. Guitarist and vocalist Connor Stewart laid down tight and tidy riffs and worked well in with Lucy’s vocals. Behind the Kit was Callum Gowing who kept time like a Swiss watch. The trio was having a great time, performing on a Brisbane stage for the first time, and the crowd was enjoying what they were laying down. It was easy to see why Closure are getting more and more support and festival acts. A definite band to get behind and follow on their upward trajectory.
Who doesn’t love Frenzal Rhomb? Seriously, I want names! They are legends of the Aussie music scene! What’s not to love? 30 odd years of dedication to their craft, classic anthems that sound as fresh today as when they first hit our ears… but I digress, let’s talk later. 3 songs in a Frenzal photo pit is over fast, very very fast! So here’s a few dot points:
Walked on to we built this city on rock and roll.
Lindsay and his pig mask
One of their crew had the set list hanging around his neck
Peter Dutton got a mention (peruse their catalogue and decide which song was dedicated to him)
Hi-vis vests
Oh, it’s over? Three already? Shit!
Frenzal are like everybody’s favourite uncle at a family BBQ when you are young. You are always excited to see them, they have the best jokes, put shit on your Dad (like you wish you could) and deep down you hope to be this cool in the future. I think everybody in the crowd was that little kid during their set. We love you Uncle Rhomb!
Hot off a tour of the USA, Alpha Wolf burst onto the ballroom stage at full force! This was a performance to remember! The crowd were absolutly surging, so much so at one point, front man, Lochie Keogh, had to get the ensuing throng of fans to move back. Security were right onto us to get out of the pit ASAP just incase the wave of madness didn’t abate. I was blown away by the guys as they laid down a performance, like a band as game fit as they come. The crowd was hectic and packed in (clearly the guys were one of the “must see” bands on the day). From start to finish the guys were at full throttle, never taking their foot off the show’s throat. Alpha Wolf are a class act, a band chock full of incredible musicians who combine to create performances that are as visually appealing as they are sonically. It is easy to see why they are so busy and in demand not only in this country, but all over the world. An Aussie band kicking serious ass around the world, it’s a beautiful thing!
Byron Bay band In Hearts Wake took to the stage clad in gas masks and ready to rock hard! High energy music and exciting visuals met the eager crowd and it was hard to tell who was more exited for the show, the band or the punters. At one point in the set, the boys were joined on stage by Alpha Wolf front man, Lochie Keogh, who shared vocal duties with Jake Taylor (much to the crowd’s approval). All the band pulled out their A game and and gave a faultless performance of their well know songs and signature sound. They all moved effortlessly around the stage with carefree abandonment as did their music to all those in the packed and very vocal crowd. Such an entertaining set from the guys, I hope to get to see them again soon. Loved it! Congrats on the new baby Kyle P.S.
Between You And Me closed out the action on the ballroom stage in what would be their first Australian show in 2.5 years, and didn’t they enjoy it! The Melbourne-based punk band were fun and energetic and the joy they all felt was obvious to all in attendance. Closing out the show was huge for the boys, and vocalist Jake Wilson couldn’t believe the honour bestowed on them despite being the “pussiest band on the festival lineup”. Their set rocked hard and they used the stage and the air above it (lots of jumps) to their advantage, displaying a maturity that only playing lots (and lots and lots) of shows gives a band. All the the things that make punk music great are in the bands arsenal and they’re weren’t shy about unloading on the crowd. Tight rhythms and hooky lyrics at a hectic pace make Between You And Me a must see band! Pleased to meet you.
And then there was one, headline act Northlane were the final act of the day. The crowd amassed around the outdoor stage ready to see off the day with a bang. Pyrotechnics erupted from the stage and the heat could be felt in the crowd. Frontman Marcus Bridge ducked and weaved between the flames as he delivered his lyrics with nothing but 100% honesty. Drums surrounded entirely by smoke the sound permeated the stage and crowd while the twin guitar attack intertwined with one another creating a wall of sound that hit the crowd with full force. The bands sound is complimented nicely by the mission control setup on stage left driven by Jonathon Deiley. The rig, along with his guitar, seems to consist of a looper and a MacBook amongst guitar pedals etc. Watching him work between all the different devices intrigued me because a mutitasker, I am not. Northlane have a huge sound and one could be forgiven in thinking that the was double the musicians on stage than there were. There was so much to love about this performance. The musical skill was top notch, the stage craft exceptional. The flames, the sparks and the smoke all provided an atmosphere that bought the crowd to their vocal and enthusiastic best. Northlane are heavy hitters and as the final act of the day they proved this a thousand times over!
Full Tilt is back and everything seems right again. I had an amazing day! The Eaton Hills Hotel know how to host a party! The rain came and went all day but not for long enough to dampen the spirits of crowd! Massive numbers there all day long! Good food and facilities made for an enjoyable day of live music with both musicians and crowds at their best. Well with the wait for this festival, bring on the next Full Tilt here at the Eaton Hills Hotel July 16th. Until next time friends, big love.