Live Review: Parkway Drive – 20th Anniversary in Perth 2024
30th of September 2024 at the RAC Arena in Perth Western Australia
Review by Sheldon Ang
Photography by Sheldon Ang Photography
“It’s the f*cking best concert…ever” – the most common fan review…
The crowd are taken on a three-minute journey of the band’s 20-year legacy, hypnotised by the periodical chapters on the big screen. Parkway Drive – imprinted on the street sign sparked the embryonic phase, perhaps conceived in a house with a red tin roof in Byron Bay. The younger versions of themselves are laughing in a combi van while living the surf life, intertwined with images of Aussie sand and mosh pits of the European summer. Where business and pleasure mix, chaos divines. The footages evoke the blooming sense, the coming-of-age chapters of a band tagged with fiery infernos, ultimately becoming Australia’s hottest live act…if not one of the world’s.
The screen switches off. The spotlight shines on the southern entrance of the RAC Arena, uncovering an oversized marching flag and an imperious figure in a white hood. He wades through the crowd like a prized fighter on the way to a boxing ring. The flag barrier leads the way, ushered by the entourage and security team. Unlike the egoistical demeanour of a boxer, he elicits the widest smile under the hood, high five’ing and thanking those who attend.
The five reach the island stage, surrounded by a horde of fans. They take their positions, with lead vocalist Winston McCall the last to appear. He pulls back his hood, arms stretching to the sides, looking like the Christ of Redeemer in Rio. The vegan lead vocalist remains still for a moment…then, jumps and assaults the floor with his feet in synch with the explosion of the drum and guitars in Carrion – one of the band’s biggest hits. The revelers head bang to the beat of the ferocious drums by Ben Gordon who weaves like a martial arts practitioner. The growl from Winston McCall is as liberated as it’s demonic, diving into the abyss of vocal extremity. The crowd surfing gets to an early start, as bodies are rolled along the sea of hands like logs on a charging river.
Something outwardly is happening on the floor, as revelers are forming human circles, moving anti-clockwise in three areas. The human-made whirlpools expand as the spins accelerate, possessed by the sounds of Parkway Drive.
The marching drum continues with Prey, as the fans chant Prey! Prey! Prey for the sorrow… while punching the air with the utter conviction of a 60’s march. The patriotism is deafening, like an army marching into war in solidarity and revenge. The connection with the 15,000 fans is deafening, as the lead vocalist animates like a naked man on an ant farm, often jumping and twisting like Peter Garrett on speed.
Jesus Christ…how are you going Perth…what the f*ck…alright let’s make some memories…
Two of their powerhouse hits have been used but the depth is deep. All five pairs of eyes of members including Luke Kilpatrick on rhythm guitar and Jia O’Connor on bass are on the main stage hidden by a curtain. After a moment, the curtain falls, unveiling a relic-like monument as seen on Ancient Aliens; a colossal beam, similar to a cargo carrier on a shipping dock, except this is monolithically gloomy. A structure is lowered from the roof, forming a bridge between the island and the main stage. Another countdown ticks…3- 2- 1 as Glitch is performed. The pace increases again, as fireballs are shot in the background under every sonic command, while the dancers are zig-zagging across the stage with somersaults and acrobatic moves.
Take a deep breath, everyone. This is not the culmination of the night, as every chapter of the 2 hour-song setlist peaks.
Again, Perth what the fu*k…this is doing my head…Jesus…give me a yeh…give me a yeah…
Not all performance is weaved in a million miles an hour because that would not be physically possible. A ritualistic, arcane set is cast in Cemetery Bloom under the cover of greenish twilight, with the witchery mood engulfing the entire arena. Lead vocalist Winston McCall also sings in the “rain” in Wishing Wells, in a dramatic personification of mood and grief.
The stage effects are like nothing we’ve seen at the RAC Arena. The bridge is elevated to the mighty roof during a solo by lead guitarist Geoff Ling during Horizon, while sparks rain from beneath. It also raise three violinists as they play to the tunes of Idols and Anchor.
The night ends with the most dramatic stage effect in Crushed, with some of the fieriest displays ever seen at the RAC Arena. The entire stage perimeter is lit section by section with deliberate conviction by the acrobatic dancers. The shirtless Winston stands on the island surrounded by fire, as he appears to absorb the energy, then belts the words while fireballs are crossing in an all-out assault. The activity intensifies with all eyes darting. If there is a orgasmic culmination, this would be it…
or perhaps not…
The lead vocalist walks into the crowd and is lifted over the shoulders, accepting the high fives. Wherever the spotlight shines and moves, the crowd rolls him in the direction while hands are poking through the canopy of heads with rock god gestures. Standing high above everyone, he raises both hands as if he has won the boxing match that he came for, or like a messiah absorbing the energy of his followers as they fused their bodies to reach out for their leader.
F*ck yeah… come and sing, come and sing. He commands the fans to come closer as the electric riff reverberates. The crowd chants, “Ooh ooh”.
He’s coming, big man, he’s coming…gesturing the riff is about to explode. Can we have a big roundabout here…this floor…this whole f*cking floor
…SPIN…SPIN…SPIN…
Within seconds, a human whirlpool surrounds the lead vocalist, with some willingly swept by the human tide, culminating in one of the most dramatic scenes at the RAC Arena.
For a metal band – let alone an Australian metal band to fill arenas across Australia would surpass all expectations as Winston McCall puts it. Even several months ago, tonight is a surprise given Parkway Drive was supposed to perform in a much smaller venue, but tickets was sold out within an hour, ultimately leading to a venue upgrade at the RAC Arena.
This is the first time this writer has covered a metalcore concert. It’s irrelevant if potential patrons are part of the heavy metal or pop culture, because THIS IS entertainment for anyone who appreciates live entertainment. He has seen enough to believe that Parkway Drive of Australia – whose members are vegans and vegetarians – is one of the greatest live bands on the planet.
Sheldon Ang Media would like to thank Dallas Does PR, Destroy All Lines and Parkway Drive for the media accreditation
About the Writer/Photographer: Perth-based Sheldon Ang Media (est. May 2022) have been accredited to more than 100 of the hottest acts including Taylor Swift (ERAS Tour in Sydney), Coldplay (Perth), Knoftest (Melbourne), KISS, Iron Maiden, RHCP, P!NK and Robbie Williams with reviews shared by the likes of Belinda Carlisle, UB40, Delta Goodrem, The Wiggles and Toni Childs on social media. He has interviewed rockers Suzi Quatro (pictured), Ace Frehley (KISS), John Steel (The Animals), Frank Ferrer (Guns N Roses), Phil X (Bon Jovi), Andrew Farris (INXS) plus over 60 artists. He’s also a contributor on Triple M Radio as a music journalist.
