NEW BLOOM FESTIVAL: MEANJIN
New Bloom’s festival debut took place in Meanjin, and it blossomed.
From international headliners to local hardcore, New Bloom delivered a flourishing bill that left the Fortitude flowering. I arrived with deep heat in the pocket of my utility overalls, a *few cameras & the sustenance of 2 bananas, one of which the security guard pretended to use as a gun when he was politely ruffling through my belongings. It was an interesting but sweet tone - setter…I am still laughing at it this morning. I think there is always an air of anxiousness and silliness when it comes to festivals mixed with a little chaos, which makes running between stages fun for punters and an elite sport for photographers…That and dodging the constant call -outs for being a photographer. I desperately lack the interest in becoming a plumber or drummer okay, my brain knows only of camera. Thank you Destroy All Lines and New Bloom for letting me camera your debut festival.
Images + Words by Day West
NERVE DAMAGE
With Fleshwater's last-minute cancellation, Meanjin’s lineup welcomed local hardcore band World Of Joy and Sydney’s Nerve Damage.
Both were welcomed additions in my book. Nerve Damage is a band I will never tire of seeing. They consistently bring 110% energy and authenticity to the stage. Shal’s powerful voice delivers even stronger messaging, backed by brutal force. Bands like Nerve Damage and GELD have always utilized their platforms to advocate accordingly. A Nerve Damage gig will always leave you inspired to advocate harder, and if it doesn't, you should look a little deeper inside. It's always a pleasure to witness this band's fire.
Keep your ears peeled for new material on the way ~
WORLD OF JOY
Meanjin Hardcore Forever - WOJ always brings the intensity. A flurry of people almost tumbled up the stairs to the outpost’s distinctly Black Lodge-esque room, where WOJ exploded onto the stage.
The 300-capacity space felt surprisingly intimate as WOJ's energy filled the room. Bodies began thrashing around instantly. There's something special about experiencing hardcore in cozy, carpeted spaces - I'm sure some acl’s feel the same. The Lynchian atmosphere of the room provided a refreshing backdrop for the band's performance, and I'm hopeful that the outpost will host more hardcore shows in the future.
This was one of the sets that could have been 20 minutes longer and the crowd would have maintained laser focus regardless. As I was headed out, I overheard a few people discuss the set with praise which always perks my veronica mars ass ears up.
Get keen for new music coming from WOJ soon :)
Softcult
From Canada to our welcoming valley streets, Softcult played their first Meanjin show - and it was one of the day’s highlights.
Their grungey ethereal sound filled the room as perfectly as gold-plated reverb and I was snapped out of my camera tunnel vision. Their set added a necessary dynamic to the festival and fostered a space for shoegaze amongst some of the heavier acts. I loved seeing the women-lined barrier and was taken aback by just how engulfing their performance was. The perfect lighting filled the space in such a way it felt transient of time and the gentle melodies carried the top line of the fantasy the crowd was lost in. I think Softcult put the bloom in this festival, personally.
The call to action, the angry speech at the end of their set was the perfect outro to any shoegaze set.
TOUCHE AMORE
I enjoy mostly anything in the post-hardcore realm and Touche Amore is no outlier. Getting to shoot shows always feels kinda silly - you get a front-row seat to bands you had on your (blue) ipod shuffle circa 2006 and you forget how old you are or what you have going on outside of the venue. You get to feel ‘unburdened’ (in a sense) again. At least that’s how I feel when I get to capture shows and not be a plumber.
Known for their raw emotional intensity the band delivered a set that was nothing short of passionate. The joy they radiated was contagious and the crowd truly matched energy. Mixed with lead vocalist Jeremy Bolm's impassioned delivery - his lyrics cutting through the air like a knife, while the rest of the band churned out a torrent of relentless, driving rhythms.
What truly set Touche Amore's performance apart was the palpable sense of connection they fostered with the audience. Bolm's heartfelt banter between songs made it feel as though we were all part of an intimate conversation.
BLIND GIRLS
Blind Girls never bore. Vocalist Sharni devours it every time - it’s cathartic - almost like sympathy pain when someone you love is hurt but you’re sympathy screaming. I'm psychosomatic with Blind Girls - they scream, I too scream.
They’re a no-brainer on any bill, and continually impress me regardless of show or circumstance. I want to see this band get all of the trophies.
CITIZEN
Sitting at the top of New Bloom's bill was Citizen
Citizen made their mark on the music scene with their debut album "Youth" in 2013, released through Run for Cover Records. The album received critical acclaim for its raw, introspective lyrics and grunge-infused sound, drawing comparisons to bands like Brand New and Balance and Composure. Tracks such as "The Night I Drove Alone" and "How Does It Feel?" resonated deeply with listeners, showcasing the band's ability to blend vulnerability with aggression. Perhaps the most enduring aspect of "Youth" is its ability to evoke a sense of nostalgia and longing, even years after its release.
Throughout their career, Citizen has remained committed to authenticity and emotional honesty in their music. Whether through their anthemic choruses or their intimate acoustic ballads, the band has consistently connected with listeners on a deep, personal level. With each release, Citizen continues to push the boundaries of their sound while staying true to the raw, unfiltered emotion that defines their music.
As the crowd eagely anticipated citizen’s set to start, the lights lowered and ‘Hyper Trophy’ instantly broke the crowds ambient chatters. Mat Kerekes's vocals soar and crackle with emotion, his stage presence commanding and vulnerable in equal measure. Guitarists Nick Hamm and Ryland Oehlers trade blistering riffs and melodic interplay, while bassist Eric Hamm and drummer Jake Duhaime provide a solid rhythmic foundation that drives the music forward with relentless momentum. Citzen are one of those bands with such a distinctive shift between albums which plays for an engaging and exciting live experience. Their genre play is based.
‘Blue Sunday’, ‘How Does it Feel’ + ‘Big Mouth’ were my favorites from their set. Blue Sunday (mag) was inspired by The Doors, but Citizen’s Blue Sunday is also a more than adequate vibe association.
Diverse and authentic - I’m glad I ticked Citizen off the list this year.
A big thank you to New Bloom Festival and Destroy All Lines for having me along <3
