Melbourne kicked off Australia’s annual Good Things Festival yesterday, drawing thousands of heavy music fans for a packed day of performances. With nu-metal legends Korn and pop-punk icons Sum 41 originally headlining, the event promised to deliver an unforgettable experience. However, a significant last-minute lineup change and looming storm clouds added unexpected challenges to the mix.
Two days before the festival, Sum 41 announced the cancellation of their Brisbane show due to frontman Deryck Whibley’s pneumonia. The following day, the band and festival organisers confirmed that Sum 41 would withdraw entirely from Good Things, cancelling their Australian farewell tour on medical advice. For many fans, this was a crushing blow, as it marked one of their last chances to see the band perform live before their retirement. Personally, I felt the remaining lineup didn’t quite compensate for the absence of Sum 41, as their appeal catered more to pop-punk audiences than heavy metal fans. Despite this setback, the show went on.
The lineup featured a stellar array of Australian acts, and I was fortunate to catch glimpses of several standout performances. Reliqa, Alpha Wolf, and Northlane delivered dynamic sets, undoubtedly earning new fans along the way. Jet and The Living End, both Aussie icons, commanded strong crowds on the main stage, with audiences enthusiastically embracing their classic hits.
Sleeping With Sirens delivered a powerful performance, with Kellin Quinn’s signature vocals sounding phenomenal. Their setlist blended hits, newer tracks, and a memorable cover of The Goo Goo Dolls’ Iris, which coincided with the first few drops of rain.
Speaking of the rain, a storm threatened all day, with safety advisories displayed on screens warning attendees to stay alert. After last year’s Sydney incident—when Fall Out Boy’s set was cut short and the event evacuated due to severe weather—I was braced for disruptions. However, apart from some light drizzle, the weather largely held, adding a refreshing element to an otherwise warm day.
With Sum 41’s absence, the schedule was reshuffled. Violent Femmes retained their slot, while German electronicore group Electric Callboy moved up two positions to co-headline. While Violent Femmes brought their classic sound, their slower pace felt more suited to an earlier timeslot.
Electric Callboy, on the other hand, emerged as the undisputed highlight of the day. Elevating them to co-headliner was an inspired decision—their high-energy performance, packed with outrageous songs, costume changes, and infectious enthusiasm, had the crowd in raptures. They drew an incredibly large audience and were visibly moved by the reception, inviting fans to sing the chorus of their massive hit “We Got The Moves” after their set while the band took it all in.
Their set was made even more special by the addition of Sum 41’s Frank Zummo filling in for their drummer, who had to pull out due to illness. A particular standout was their metal-infused cover of Cascada’s Every Time We Touch, which blended humour with their signature heavy style, leaving the crowd absolutely exhilarated.
Korn closed the day with a performance that lived up to their legendary status. While I’m not a huge fan personally, there’s no denying their monumental impact on the heavy music scene. Their setlist spanned iconic tracks, from Here to Stay as the opener to an encore of Falling Away from Me, Oildale, and the classic Freak on a Leash. It was a fitting finale to a day packed with memorable moments, setting a high bar for the Sydney and Brisbane legs of the festival.
FOUR AND A HALF STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
The final Good Things show is at Brisbane on Sunday – head here for more details and last-minute tickets
