25 October 2025 – Albert Park, Brisbane – words by Cecilia Pattison-Levi – pictures by Marty Schmidt
It was a 4ZZZ Market Day on steroids at Roma Street Parklands to celebrate the 50th birthday of the beloved community radio station. There was a huge crowd to witness the return of this event – the first since 2006. Patience Hodgson (The Grates) was the MC for an amazing day of some of the most iconic bands to have been supported and played by the radio station.
4ZZZ has been a constant and steady voice for progress and the uncoverers of local and Australian musical talent. As Brisbane as a city, and the state of Queensland, has moved through its growing pains, 4ZZZ has provided a safe place where the music of the people and its culture has been able to thrive. It was astonishing that the first two excellent local bands of the day really demonstrated that dedication to the radio station’s mission.
The day was kicked off in real style in royal blue and swirls with the band Nice Biscuit on the main stage. The tight knit band (Billie Star, Grace Cuell, Troy Dolan, Nick Cavendish and Kurt Melvin) performed in their own eclectic style. They delivered a beautiful world of sounds that recalled at times rock music blended with jazz breakdowns, and reminded me of the B-52s and the So-Cal psychedelic vibes of the late 1970s. Their songs ‘Breathe’, Fade Away’, ‘Passing Over’ were hauntingly beautiful.
Nice Biscuit – ZED50 – photos by Marty Schmidt
Nice Biscuit’s two female vocalists soared with poignant harmonies, along with synths and tambourines. Their dreamy ethereal vocal melodies overlaid deep heavy bass lines and roaring guitar riffs. Nice Biscuit had the whole crowd grooving with their great fun sounds that were complimented by their synchronised stage presence. Nice Biscuit put on a very enjoyable set and really impressed the crowd.
Then, Brisbane party starters Velociraptor christened the second stage. It was very crowded on that stage but it didn’t matter as they delivered an amazing performance. The band were squished on the stage as they delivered songs like ‘Cynthia’ and ‘Sneakers’. The band were so engaging with comments like: “We were Brisbane’s biggest band in 2012” as Velociraptor dedicated their song ‘Timebong’ to 4ZZZ.
Velociraptor – ZED50 – photos by Marty Schmidt
There was bittersweet news with Velociraptor sharing the news announcing their impending hiatus as a band. They will play a handful of shows along the East Coast on their ‘Don’t Hate-Us, Hate The Game’ farewell tour. There is a gig at the Black Bear Lodge on Saturday, 13 December that should not be missed.
It was back to the main stage where Brisbane’s hip-hop rock fusion legends Butterfingers took to the stage. It was a terrific set and their dedicated fans up the front followed along to every word. ‘Hook Up’ commenced the set as the band (Eddie Jacobson, Olly Thomas, Tony McCall and Mohd Fakharudin Bin Mohd Bahar) really hit those huge bassline jams. By the second song ‘Bullet Medley 2021’ the theme of the performance was put into motion. Eddie Jacobson’s staccato flow and the bass player’s Mohd Fakharudin Bin Mohd Bahar tight control of the rhythm managed to capture the attention of everyone.
Butterfingers really set the tone for the day with their powerful and fun performance. It was all about ‘Queensland’. The band expressed their thanks to 4ZZZ as they went “off script” and delivered the side project of Eddie’s punk band SpitFireLiar’s track ‘Science’. It was a real treat and an example of how 4ZZZ really took risks on local music.
Butterfingers – ZED50 – photos by Marty Schmidt
Then, the bassline funk and the synths brought the crowd to the boil as ‘Yo Mama’, the wonderful ‘Get Up Outta The Dirt’ and ‘Everytime Mashup’ hit where the crowd was divided against each other with the party over here chants. Butterfingers closed out their set with the ironic ‘I Love Work’ and the huge singalong of ‘Figjam’ that ended in Eddie taking a bullet. It was just a fantastic set with lots of red ink at the end!
It was a race over to the second stage to see the wonderful young Brisbane-based band Platonic Sex perform. Theband comprises of members: Bridget Brandolini, Jane Millroy, Ryan Hammermeister and Jess Cameron. I have seen this young band six times in the last 18 months and they are just getting better and better each time. Platonic Sex got the crowd into the groove quickly with the delivery of their songs ‘Fever Dream’, ‘Easy’, the fabulous ‘Shark Teeth’ and ‘Hanging out the Window’ and others with real swagger.
Platonic Sex – ZED50 – photos by Marty Schmidt
Platonic Sex were having fun during the set with some odd banter but it was spoken with a sense of joy and it filtered strongly to the crowd who were enjoying what they were seeing. It was great that they highlighted songs from their debut album Face To The Flywire. It showed how the songs supported by 4ZZZ have changed and developed over the last five years. Those songs are now a record of musical growth and catharsis of Platonic Sex, the band, into 12 stunning songs.
After a fast walk downhill, the main stage was about to host Victorian band Big Noter that has Briggs as their front man. The band are so new that there are currently only two songs available to stream on Spotify ‘Identify’ and ‘Talk Straight’. But from the amount of blue Big Noter t-shirts being worn in the crowd, the band are obviously going to be big. The merch tent was emptied out, I found out later.
Big Noter – ZED50 – photos by Marty Schmidt
So, Big Noter is very new, but this did not stop them from performing a highly entertaining short 40-minute set in support of 4ZZZ that started with ‘Free Yourself’. They delivered a big bassline distorted heavy brand of hip-hop and rap with a hardcore punk sound. This band brought the heavy vibes as Briggs spat politically charged lyrics with passion. Briggs really engaged the crowd with light-hearted banter and his strong support for the role of 4ZZZ and the crowd lapped it up for the entire set.
Then, it was a climb up the hill to see the Flangipanis and their bright, fun and authentically punk set. The band really did fly the flag for punk rock. They took the crowd on a punk journey in their own entertaining way, with grinding guitars and their sense of humour. They made quite the impression on the crowd as the front woman Jodie Lawler served it up to the crowd.
Flangipanis – ZED50 – photos by Marty Schmidt
The Flangipanis unleashed their own stream of 4ZZZ anthems with songs like ‘Getting Shit For Free’, ‘Asshole Aunt’, ‘I’m Drunk, So What, Fuck You’ and ‘Nice Haircut Dickhead’ that were delivered with a sense of sneering old school irreverence (that made my heart glad) as the band combined unrelenting stamina with sweat and fun.
It was a quick stroll down the hill to get to the front to rock out with the impressive Full Flower Moon Band. Brisbane’s Full Flower Moon Band is one of the best, and most inventive bands in Australia: simply put they’ll lift the hairs on the back of your neck with their true rock ‘n’ roll substance. Their live performance is so in your face – but in a good way. It’s the most glorious blues, grunge rock you will hear. Their ownership of the stage is infectious, with everyone rocking out and having fun. They walk the bassline, wring those guitars for all it’s worth and they shake!
Full Flower Moon Band – ZED50 – photos by Marty Schmidt
Full Flower Moon Band have got the moves. They’ve got the sound. And, their drummer who was missing today, and was replaced with distinction by Platonic Sex’s Ryan Hammermeister as he did a great job steering the band’s performance. The band commenced with ‘Meet Ya’ and each song that followed was just banger after banger with highlights being ‘Devil’, Illegal’, ‘Man Hands’, ‘Hurt’, ‘Scene’, the very funny ‘Female Mechanic’, the moody ‘Ny-La’ and ‘Westside’.
Then, and I am not sure how you follow an amazing performance like that, but Dancingwater had to on stage two. The band (Javier Langham, William Harper, Muhammad Smith and Nic Downing) brought a full-on funk soul style that was totally apposite. Dancingwater’s neo-soul was appreciate by the crowd as was they statements that ranged from lyrics about owed money to blak rage that are inspired by societal injustices and the drive for global equity.
Dancingwater – ZED50 – photos by Marty Schmidt
Then, it was a quick turn around and back to see Tropical Fuck Storm at stage one. The Melbourne band was welcomed on to stage by Patience Hodgson who stated: “This band should be honorary Queenslanders with a name like that” and the crowd agreed. There was a warm welcome for Tropical Fuck Storm.
The band (Gareth Liddiard, Fiona Kitschin, Erica Dunn and Lauren Hammel) opened the show with their funky bass, clunky drums and a heavily rhythmic vocal delivery. With songs like ‘Braindrops’, ‘Irukandji Syndrome’ and ‘Bloodsport’: the band performed a 45-minute set that had the crowd grooving along. Singer and guitarist Gareth Liddiard possessed a commanding crowd presence, bringing his noise-rock-oriented vocal delivery and co-guitarist Erica Dunn’s and bassist Fiona Kitschin’s backing vocal prowess to the forefront.
Tropical Fuck Storm – ZED50 – photos by Marty Schmidt
Back to stage 2, those stairs are starting to kill, but it was worth it. The Sydney duo Party Dozen put on a unique and incendiary performance at stage two. Party Dozen are drummer Johnathon Boulet and saxophonist Kirsty Tickle. They put on the most fascinating performance with their mixture of jazz, industrial, no-wave and many a mash of other genres. Party Dozen’s set was highly improvisational in nature. This created an interesting situation for the crowd who on the whole were almost entirely unprepared for the style of abrasive and dense music about to be delivered.
Party Dozen really did bring a different type of party with such a distinctive sound and I can see why their fans are devoted to them. The blending of the saxophone and drums is just so unique. Party Dozen’s song highlights were ‘Money & The Drugs’, ‘The Iron Boot’, ‘Wake In Might’ and ‘Coup De Gronk’ and the band’s sense of humour was on full display. Party Dozen’s set was intense, chaotic, and visceral with Kirsty Tickle’s abrasive saxophone and Jonathan Boulet’s powerful drumming being the centre of their own musical storm.
Party Dozen – ZED50 – photos by Marty Schmidt
Well, how good are Regurgitator? So good. They set the crowd on fire and the bouncing went all the way up the hill at Roma Street. It was quite a sight. The band (Quan Yeomans, Ben Ely, Peter Kostic with Sarah Lim touring keyboardist) delivered a fantastic set and was another extraordinary performance. I haven’t seen the “Gurge” for a while, but last night the band brought their ‘A Game’ as they told the crowd: “We first played Roma Street back in 1994 and it’s the first time we have been back here to play” as they kicked of with ‘Sucker Like You’.
No ‘Gurge’ era was left alone, as ‘Bong in My Eye’ was delivered and followed by comments about David Attenborough and the crowd singalong of ‘I Will Lick Your Arsehole’ and ‘I Sucked a Lot of Cock to Get Where I Am’ where highlights. The classics like ‘Black Bugs’, ‘Wrong People’ and ‘Fat Cop’ were delivered to the crowds delight as the crowd surfing and moshing started. The band joked about their toilet humour before they played the set highlights of ‘Cocaine Runaway’, oldie but a goodie ‘Kong Foo Sing’, ‘Tsunami’ and ‘I Wanna Be A Nudist’. Regurgitator put on a compelling mix of nostalgia and new fun.
Regurgitator – ZED50 – photos by Marty Schmidt
Screamfeeder were the last band on stage two for the evening. The band (Tim Steward, Kellie Lloyd and Darek Mudge, with Phil Usher) captured the hearts and minds of the crowd really quickly with their blistering guitar riffs and beautifully lit purple and yellow live set. Screamfeeder delivered their signature songs like ‘Needles’, ‘The Space That’s Left’, ‘Deletia’, ‘Sushi Bowl’, ‘Dart’ and ‘Hi C’s’.
Screamfeeder’s performance drew from the full breadth of their back catalogue, weaving in highlights from their latest release, the double album Demolition, as well as beloved tracks from earlier albums like Kitten Licks and Burn Out Your Name. Screamfeeder’s synergy as a band was unmistakable. Their seamless interplay and heartfelt delivery underscored their staying power as the crowd loved the fact that their music has not just survived but thrived after 30 years together. The set was proof that Screamfeeder’s music continues to resonate.
Screamfeeder – ZED50 – photos by Marty Schmidt
The crowd was now huge in Roma Street with the crowd stretching all the way to the back of the venue. They were here to see the Brisbane punk legends and one of the most revered, and talked about bands, in Australian music history. Bob Geldof was quoted as saying: “Rock music in the ’70s was changed by three bands—The Sex Pistols, The Ramones and The Saints”. And, the crowd were on their feet to hear this band – and their songs as a leading part of 4ZZZ’s 50th birthday celebration.
It was all business, and no chat, as the ticking metronome signalled that The Saints were about to come on stage. They hit the stage running with ‘This Perfect Day’ and the sound was unmistakable. The Saints had a small brass section of musicians filling out their punk, and now punk blues rock songs. The band (Ed Kuepper and Ivor Hay alongside honorary Saints: Mark Arm, Peter Oxley and Mick Harvey) recreated the sounds of The Saints hugely influential songs from the albums (I’m) Stranded (1977), Eternally Yours (1978) and Prehistoric Sounds (1978).
The Saints 73-78 – ZED50 – photos by Marty Schmidt
The Saints performed all the classic songs with highlights like ‘Know Your Product’, ‘Orstralia’ ‘No Time’, ‘Misunderstood’ and ‘Brisbane (Security City)’ during their 50-minute set. The Saints powerfully delivered the absolute stand out, and the calling song of a generation, ‘(I’m) Stranded’ that had the whole crowd singing along. The Saints played a controlled set that had the crowd surfers and the mosh going off.
The Saints ended a day of classic 4ZZZ sounds. The radio station has supported bands for over a few generations. And now the bands supported them for this birthday blowout. The line-up really highlighted the variety and breadth of talent from Brisbane and around the nation. Community radio is the heart of a community: 4ZZZ’s heart is still beating strong. Here’s to the next fifty years and the coming generations.
