Yesterday, the final nail in the Soundwave coffin was well and truly hammered in, with AJ Maddah (in usual style) taking to Twitter to announced that the festival would not be going ahead in 2016 due to poor ticket sales. Following on from the previous announcement that the festival would cease to exist nationally in 2017, the news came as a huge blow for fans around the country who’d remained loyal to the concept of having a stomper amount of both well established and emerging bands from across the genres of metal, hard rock, punk, rap and more tour the country for some unforgettable days and nights of live music during the summer.
the AU has had some brilliant outings at Soundwave in the past, so it’s a shame to see yet another festival that’s held such a large place in the hearts of many Australian music fans bite the dust. Instead of focusing on the negative, our team takes a look back at Soundwave and some of our favourite memories of the event, whether it be seeing a long time favourite band for the first time or interviewing GWAR…
“That time it was raining in Sydney while All Time Low were playing. It was pissing down and volunteer workers around the event were handing out ponchos. I was with my best friend at the time and the band had only played a couple of songs. Alex Gaskarth, even when all the staging equipment was wet, sang a beautiful acapella to give the band’s set the send off it deserved. Highlight of my 2015 experience.
Seeing Paramore and Blink at the front barricade back in 2013. Soundwave considerably had the best line up that year. It was so worth all the sweat just to get through the sea of people.
Moshing and pretty much getting crushed in the ADTR set list just to see Jimmy Eat World right at the front. They also sang, “Polaris”, a song that has helped me through the tough times (and a song used in one of my favourite TV shows ever, One Tree Hill). Magnificent set list by one of the greatest emo bands in music history (Soundwave 2014) ” – Jana Angeles
Larry interviews Jesse Hughes/Boots Electric in Sydney, 2014…
“The year I got to see A Perfect Circle live was fantastic.” – Dave Roberts
“The epic light shows Dragonforce put on in the tent stage, even though it was 40 degrees and sunny outside.” – Manuel Lainas
“Seeing Kevin Devine play to like, ten people, because he was on at the same time as Motion City Soundtrack and everyone went to that instead. Seeing Say Anything for the first time. Lying under the gum trees in 2009 to see Straylight Run. Soundwave 2008 was my first festival. I was 15 and I went with a group of friends who were also trashy emo kids. It was a really kick ass experience, which I’ll always be thankful for.” – Ruby Niemann
GWAR’s Oderus Urungus taking on the Sochi Olympics…
“I did one of my first face-to-face interviews at Soundwave, I hung with letlive. for a little bit before they hit the stage. I was terrified and we could barely hear each other as Kvelertak were playing at the same time, but they were amazing and really kind. Not to mention they tore it up on stage a mere 10 minutes later. I also remember seeing Garbage for the first time at Soundwave, as well as Slayer and Slipknot, as some highlights. There was never any pretention among the music fans at this festival and although the music was harder, everyone was a part of an all-inclusive experience which was brilliant.” – Sosefina Fuamoli
“Getting to see Incubus at the both the very first Brisbane Soundwave in 2007 and what will now likely be the final Brisbane Soundwave early this year was a massive treat for me. I’ve been a fan of those guys since I was in high school and they’re yet to put on a show I haven’t enjoyed. Add to that, last year they were followed by Soundgarden and the incredible Faith No More… what a show. I’ve been lucky enough to see Faith No More live twice and I have Soundwave to thank for that. Last year’s performance by metal supergroup Killer Be Killed was also a personal highlight. Mushroomhead on the world’s tiniest supplementary stage, at 1pm, in the drizzling rain, putting a show worthy of the main stages is another that will stick in my memory.
I’ve seen a lot of people hanging shit on the festival since the cancellation announcement yesterday, and while many of the criticisms are warranted, I feel many others have been unfair. I have so many great memories of this festival and I’m sad to see it go.” – David Smith
“I’ve worked Soundwave twice as a part of a casual hospitality job. In fact, I’ve worked more events at Sydney Showground then I care to remember. I used to dread going along to work at the bars for festivals held out there, but not when Soundwave came around. It was always easy, at times even joyous, to serve punters who actually had respect for those around them. There was never a problem working Soundwave, and I can’t say that for any other event at Sydney Showground, from a hospitality perspective.
That, to me, is one of the things that made Soundwave work: the crowd. When the reason for everyone being there is strictly the love of music, there’s an unrivalled atmosphere and sense of camaraderie, between people who may not necessarily know each other but share a genuine reason for coming together for the love of music. AJ must have recognised this because over the years, Soundwave has been brilliant at servicing and satisfying it’s fans, catering for both niche and relatively mainstream tastes. The appreciation of that level of curation, I would assume, has played a part in attracting a good, enjoyable crowd. Soundwave should be commended for that, and even if the majority of the music there is not particularly to my taste, I would always enter Soundwave – whether as a hospitality worker, media, or to help the AU backstage – knowing that I’m amongst people who are infectiously passionate about the one thing that matters at music festivals: the music. ” – Chris Singh
“My most vivid Soundwave memory is interviewing Dave Brockie (Oderus Ungerus) of GWAR before Soundwave 2014 and it being a crazy ride of an interview. What I enjoy most about festivals like Soundwave is the exposure to bands I would not normally see. Last year, two acts that were unexpected surprises were the Kate Bush-like Nostalghia and the fun energy of Icon For Hire.
The all-white Faith No More stage covered in flowers was another visual treat. Slipknot always give a spectacular performance. Crossfaith from Japan were another standout act from last year for their pure energy on stage. Bands that attend Soundwave always seem to have a close relationship with their fans. I’m thinking the sexual energy of the Butcher Babies, Teri Gender Bender from Le Butcherettes crowd surfing and Ben Weinman of The Dillinger Escape Plan face to face with the mosh.
Being up close to a high energy band like Five Finger Death Trap or Al Jourgensen from Ministry is something that still brings back great memories. Where Soundwave resonated with me, was that it always pushed the boundaries and gave a full day’s worth of hard rock, leaving everyone hot, happy and exhausted.” – John Goodridge
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