The fact that a Refused tour happened in Australia at all was incredible, the fact that tour came to Adelaide is nothing short of a miracle. After a 21 year career, the Swedish punk rockers are calling it a day (again), and music fans of Adelaide came out in droves to rock out for one last time.
Opening the night were local act Hightime, an energetic and highly entertaining young band who appeared genuinely humbled by the chance to open for some of their musical heroes. If they were nervous, it certainly didn’t show, as they powered through songs from their debut album, Ishi Prende. Capitalising on their 45 minute set time, they certainly won over a few new fans.
After a short break, a black curtain covered the stage, much to the excitement of the near-capacity crowd. As the house lights dimmed, and the stage lights flickered, REFUSED shone through.
The opening bars of The Shape Of Punk To Come filled Thebarton Theatre as the band appeared on stage. Frontman Dennis Lyxzén is a captivating performer. On the surface Refused do not have the typical appearance of a hardcore/punk band, but their energy and massive sound displayed perfectly why they’re considered a world class act.
The liberating and non-conformist lyrics written well over a decade ago still ring true to the hundreds of adoring fans. Rather Be Dead, and Summer Holidays vs Punk Routine blasted through the theatre as crowd surfers toppled over the barrier. Lyxzén has an amazing ability to connect with his audience, encouraging them to support local music, question authority, and party hard.
After a short stint off stage, the band returned to smash out what is arguably their biggest hit, New Noise. Refused appeared blown away by the reception of the Adelaide crowd. It seemed a wonder to them, as much as everyone else that it had taken them so long to visit our shores.
The show ended on a high note with Tannhäuser / Derivè , but the entire performance was well worth the wait. Refused played all their hits, and all the songs the fans had been waiting to hear for so long. Adelaide may have been last international show the band will ever play, but one thing is for sure; Refused will never be fucking dead.
Review By Sofie Marsden.
Photo by Sofie Marsden. Full gallery can be seen here
Opening the night were local act Hightime, an energetic and highly entertaining young band who appeared genuinely humbled by the chance to open for some of their musical heroes. If they were nervous, it certainly didn’t show, as they powered through songs from their debut album, Ishi Prende. Capitalising on their 45 minute set time, they certainly won over a few new fans.
After a short break, a black curtain covered the stage, much to the excitement of the near-capacity crowd. As the house lights dimmed, and the stage lights flickered, REFUSED shone through.
The opening bars of The Shape Of Punk To Come filled Thebarton Theatre as the band appeared on stage. Frontman Dennis Lyxzén is a captivating performer. On the surface Refused do not have the typical appearance of a hardcore/punk band, but their energy and massive sound displayed perfectly why they’re considered a world class act.
The liberating and non-conformist lyrics written well over a decade ago still ring true to the hundreds of adoring fans. Rather Be Dead, and Summer Holidays vs Punk Routine blasted through the theatre as crowd surfers toppled over the barrier. Lyxzén has an amazing ability to connect with his audience, encouraging them to support local music, question authority, and party hard.
After a short stint off stage, the band returned to smash out what is arguably their biggest hit, New Noise. Refused appeared blown away by the reception of the Adelaide crowd. It seemed a wonder to them, as much as everyone else that it had taken them so long to visit our shores.
The show ended on a high note with Tannhäuser / Derivè , but the entire performance was well worth the wait. Refused played all their hits, and all the songs the fans had been waiting to hear for so long. Adelaide may have been last international show the band will ever play, but one thing is for sure; Refused will never be fucking dead.
Review By Sofie Marsden.
Photo by Sofie Marsden. Full gallery can be seen here
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