LIVE: Good Things Festival 2025 -

7 December 2025 – RNA Showgrounds, Brisbane – words by Cecilia Pattison Levi – pictures by Clea-marie Thorne and Bec Harbour

It was another hot day for the Brisbane leg of the Good Things 2025 Festival (not as bad as last year where the bitumen on the road was melting). There was an amazing line-up of musicians again this year, and it’s not possible to get to everyone, so I tried to get to as many bands as possible. It’s a day of pick and mix – as you “choose your own musical adventure” kind of day – and with 33 bands on the bill there’s bound to be something for everyone.

The Good Things Festival was born in 2018. It was the successor to the fabulous Soundwave Festival. It is a safe harbour for metalheads and emo loving pop-punks, with enough happening to coax in the alternative rock fans of all ages. The Good Things Festival has grown into Australia’s biggest alternative music event by delivering a fine balancing act of older and newer bands. It taps into the nostalgia ride (Tool, Weezer, Garbage, Machine Head, James Reyne, All Time Low) but provides the new wave to stoke musical tastes and interest (Scene Queen, Bad Nerves, Dead Poet Society, Wargasm, Maples Pet Dinosaur, Inertia, Wave Raiders) as examples.

There were some last-minute line-up changes with the All-American Rejects and Knocked Loose announcing they were unable to perform due to personal family emergencies. Stand Atlantic and Alpha Wolf were brought in. Then, Alpha Wolf was unable to perform and Thornhill took their place. There were challenging schedule clashes that fans like me were painfully navigating, but that’s the nature of a festival this size.

My day started at Stage 1 with Yours Truly and their 8-song set. The Sydney based band of Mikaila Delgado (Sunshine Coast), Teddie Winder-Haron (Brisbane born) and Henry Beard (Sydney) opened the main stage, and set the tone for the day, by lighting the fuse with a vibrant set. Yours Truly performed a mix of songs but the bulk came from their latest album ‘Toxic’ such as songs ‘Sour’, ‘Let Go’, ‘Sinking’ and ‘Back 2 U’.

Yours Truly – Good Things Festival Brisbane – photos by Clea-marie Thorne

Yours Truly also performed some older songs like ‘Composure’, ‘High Hopes’ and ‘Walk Over My Grave’. There was also the first circle pit of the day. Teddie Winder-Haron told the crowd: “If you’re not in the circle pit – you are dead to me”. The pit went off and Brisbane were loving the band and the start. The band closed out their set with the fabulous ‘Call My Name’. It was an amazing start to the day!

Over to Stage 2, Scene Queen’s (aka Hannah Rose Collins) agent provocateur ‘bimbocore’ personae kicked off her 9-song set with ‘BDSM’. Her first three songs ‘Pink Push-Up Bra’, the fun ‘Pink Panther’ and ‘Pink G-String’ extended the “pink theme”. She had the mosh pit going early and wanted “women to feel free” in doing that. She got people to shake their asses to ‘MILF’, ‘Mutual Masturbation’, ‘Barbie & Ken’ and ‘Pink Rover’.

Scene Queen – Good Things Festival Brisbane – photos by Clea-marie Thorne

Scene Queen opened stage 2 with an absolute bang! As she strutted around in a sparkly two-piece and throwing down a captivating early set that called out everyone from Donald Trump to scummy predators in the punk scene. Her “love is love” call out and telling the crowd: “You should feel safe in your body”, without shame, was welcomed. She closed out her fun and irreverent set with ‘18+’.

Then, it was a quick run over to Stage 5, the young Newcastle based band Maple’s Pet Dinosaur drew an impressive early crowd. The band’s average age is 15, they’re not even old enough to attend the festival they were playing at, but their performance was impressive and promising. The band delivered an 8-song set of original tracks.

Maple’s Pet Dinosaur performed ‘Ice Cream Truck’, ‘Archaeology’, ‘Straight Jacket’ and ‘Invisible Boy’. The unreleased song ‘Pink Blood’ was a striking highlight. It’s a nu-metal number with a descending scale that feels remarkably fresh and the song suited her voice. The band finished with the released songs ‘Lego’ and ‘Chorus’. What was undeniable was Maple’s Pet Dinosaur is powered by a strong voice and song writer that’ll be taking over our airwaves any day now. A band to watch, without question.

Maple’s Pet Dinosaur – Good Things Festival Brisbane – photos by Bec Harbour

While looking for The Garage, I wondered to the Stages 3 and 4 area. I saw the end of the British band South Arcade’s set and their unique blend of pop-punk sounded pretty good. I only got to hear ‘Riptide’, ‘Stone Cold Summer’ and ‘2005’. This is a band to get along to and experience a full show.

Refused are fucking dead

Refused kicked off their final set in Australia as Refused to a massive crowd. ‘The Shape of Punk to Come’, ‘Burn It’ and ‘The Deadly Rhythm’ (with a riff from Slayer’s ‘Raining Blood’) sent the crowd into a frenzy. Singer Dennis Lyxzén punctuated the set with his signature high kicks and mic swings with the others performing a solid backing which has made Refused such a powerhouse live.

Chatting with other people, most were confused about the demise of the Refused brand and were openly wondering why they were choosing to abandon this. If you have a look into the band’s history, there is certainly a restlessness with being caught in any one genre and the prolific “side-projects” that many of the members have taken on have reflected this.

We will get the talent and the vision of the members of Refused again – just under different branding.

Bec Harbour

Refused – Good Things Festival Brisbane – photos by Bec Harbour

I hung around looking lost as Melbourne’s metalcore band Windwaker took to Stage 4. They put on an awesome set. The start was a lesson is high intensity engagement with the crowd as they performed ‘Sirens’. They followed with ‘Fractured State Of Mind’, ‘Superstitious Fantasy’ and the fantastic ‘The Wall.

Windwaker were heavy but their clean singing was great. They played with intensity and stunning guitar riffs, precise drumming with a powerful bassline. The lead singer Liam Guinane showcased his powerful and layered melodic singing and contrasted it with scream vocals. The crowd were going off! But I had to run and it was over to see the other young band Wave Raiders.

Wave Raiders played in a staged area called the Garage. The band: Peter De Waard, Thomas De Waard and Jayden Georg (age collectively around 13 to 15 years old) are a Sunshine Coast based band. They lit up the stage and attracted a substantial crowd who were liking what they were hearing and seeing.

Wave Raiders – Good Things Festival Brisbane – photos by Clea-marie Thorne

Wave Raiders exploded as they delivered their set with original songs ‘My Way’ and ‘Don’t Wanna Be Late’. Then, they delivered a fun mix of covers such as ‘7 Nation Army’ and ‘Killing In The Name’. The band had the crowd eating out of their hands as the drummer keep a tight control of the rhythm and the two guitarists jumped off the speakers, the drumkit, spun like tops, took off into the crowd to show their musical skills to the crowd. It was an impressive debut!

Then, I went back to Stage 3 to see Tonight Alive. The band drew a huge crowd as they kicked off their set with ‘The Edge’. The crowd was instantly under Tonight Alive’s spell. The lead singer Jenna McDougall delivered a powerful yet intimate performance as she sang ‘The Ocean’, ‘Lonely Girl’, ‘World Away’ and ‘Crack My Heart’. I am so going to The Crowbar for their gig next week. So good!

I got myself over to Stage 1 as Stand Atlantic were about to start. I have always loved this Sydney based band and with All American Rejects out, Stand Atlantic stepped up on to the main stage. They absolutely slayed! Their 13-song set made a convincing argument that they should’ve been on the bill right from the start. Bonnie Fraser’s magnetic rapport with the crowd kept everyone engaged.

Stand Atlantic – Good Things Festival Brisbane – photos by Clea-marie Thorne

Stand Atlantic songs ‘Kissin’ Killer Cobras’, the wonderful ‘Jurassic Park’, ‘GIRL$’, ‘Warzone’ and ‘Kill[h]er’ set up the first half of their set. Then, they graciously played half of ‘Gives You Hell’ by The All‐American Rejects when Bonnie Fraser said: “We don’t want to murder it any more”. Before they returned to their songs: ‘Sex on the Beach’, ‘Hate Me (Sometimes)’ and ‘Nosebleed’. Then during ‘Pity Party’ the band organised a crowd surfing race of boats containing Scene Queen and Teddie (From Yours Truly). It was so much fun. The bassist Miki Rich organised circle pits and walls of death, as guitarist David Potter and drummer Jonno Panichi played through the smoke pillars with ‘I’m The Man’ and ‘Criminal’. Stand Atlantic closed out the set thanking SPF50 sunscreen as they delivered ‘Deathwish’.

Then, I was stuck at stages 1 and 2 for a while, but I had a great spot. The next band up was Melbourne’s Thornhill. The band apologised for not having any production or much gear but they didn’t need it. They just delivered their 8-song set with confidence. They commenced with ‘Diesel’, ‘Revolver’ and ‘Casanova’. It was evident that they were bringing the heavy sounds.

The crowd was enthusiastic and was loving Thornhill’s set. The band and the crowd were feeding off each other’s energy. Crowd surfing had kicked off as well as mosh pits as the band continued with their songs ‘Under The Knife’, ‘Silver Swarm’, ‘Tongues’ and Obsession’. Thornhill’s set was a huge win for Australian heavy music as they closed out with ‘Nerv’.

Then, Machine Head were next and the beer flowed – as did the catching of the beer – and they won the most crowd surfers over the barrier game. There was a massive crowd, as we at the barrier, felt the pressure especially when the circle pit went off! Machine Head were playing as a trio for this 11-song set. Their guitarist Reece Scruggs stayed in the US to support his father who was diagnosed with lung cancer. The rest of the band (Robb Flynn, Jared MacEachern, Matt Alston) delivered raw, headbanging power with intense energy to the crowd. The pirate flags and backdrops had cool imagery – plus they were fire pillars, confetti and smoke canons, and inflatable dice bouncing around the crowd.

Machine Head – Good Things Festival Brisbane – photos by Clea-marie Thorne

Machine Fucking Head (as fans call them) performed songs such as: ‘Imperium’, ‘Unbound’, ‘Davidian’ and ‘Locust’. The highlights of the set were ‘Is There Anybody Out There?’ and ‘Outsider’. It was a hard, heavy performance full of technical brilliance in the playing of their instruments. The hard and clean vocals were beautifully executed. Jared MacEachern has the voice of an angel. Amazing!

Then, it was time for All Time Low, with their classic, fun pop-punk anthems and friendly stage banter. It might have appeared “no frills” but the musicality of this band was superb and so tight. They opened their 14-song set with ‘Suckerpunch’ and then the huge fan favourite of ‘Weightless’ followed. Singing where I was had started in full! Then, ‘Poppin’ Champagne’ and one of my favourite songs ‘PMA’ were next.

All Time Low – Good Things Festival Brisbane – photos by Bec Harbour

All Time Low are a band that have charm and the songs. The crowd surfers were going. Jack Barakat had a ‘shoey’ done “without much peer pressure”. Alex Gaskarth gave a history of the band in Australia. He also asked the crowd to support young bands just as we had supported them. The rest of the band Zack Merrick and Rian Dawson guided the band back to ‘Damned If I Do Ya (Damned If I Don’t)’, ‘Dark Side of Your Room’, ‘Time-Bomb’, ‘Little Bit’ and ‘Something’s Gotta Give’.

It was great to hear songs off All Time Low’s new album Everyone’s Talking! such as ‘The Weather’ and then they played some older festival bangers in ‘Lost in Stereo’, ‘Hate This Song’ (original with I Prevail) and the brilliant ‘Monsters’. They closed out their set with the huge fan favourite ‘Dear Maria, Count Me In’ with the crowd singing back every word. I will just need to get them back to Australia so I can hear ‘Sleepwalking’ – next time!

Then, it was time for Garbage. I was excited as the octopus image came up on the backdrop. The stage was stripped-back and stylish. The whole band of Butch Vig, Steve Marker, Duke Erikson and Shirley Manson were here. And the set started with ‘There’s No Future in Optimism’ and a rain of beach balls! Shirley Manson said; “I told you that this would happen”. She had expected it but she laughed and called herself the “Anti-Christ of beach balls” as she did not react and she kept her powder dry for later in the set.

Garbage – Good Things Festival Brisbane – photos by Bec Harbour

Garbage concentrated on saying their farewell with performing ‘Hold’, ‘I Think I’m Paranoid’, the beautiful ‘Vow’ and ‘#1 Crush’. Then, Shirley Manson let us have it. She kind of apologised about the “beach ballgate” incident but had a go at the press about what’s important in life when children are dying in warzones. She then delivered ‘Shut Your Mouth’. Point taken!

Garbage delivered a heartfelt tribute to Australian music pioneer Michael Gudinski before performing ‘Stupid Girl’, ‘Cherry Lips (Go Baby Go)’. The band played hit after hit in an incredibly tight fashion with ‘When I Grow Up’ and they closed out their set with ‘Only Happy When It Rains’. Garbage was absolutely outstanding! Balls were definitely out for Shirley!

Garbage – Good Things Festival Brisbane – photos by Clea-marie Thorne

I, then, escaped the barrier and took off for a short walk to stage 3. I got to see the last half of Cobra Starship’s set. It was rave disco. I got to hear and see ‘Hot Mess’, ‘Bring It (Snakes on a Plane)’, ‘You Make Me Feel…’ and the fabulous ‘Good Girls Go Bad’. The crowd of metalheads, emos, punks and rock snobs that were there had a wonderful time.

On stage 2, I could hear the Californian slackers Weezer playing as I had my way back and decided to have a sit. The band comprising of the not unassuming rockstars Rivers Cuomo, Brian Bell, and Scott Shriner and substitute all-star drummer Josh Freese played a wonderful 17-song set of all their popular songs. I missed ‘My Name Is Jonas’. But I was there for the others with fan favourites and sing-alongs such as ‘Surf Wax America’, ‘The Good Life’, ‘Perfect Situation’, ‘Run, Raven, Run’, the chugging ‘Hash Pipe’, ‘Undone’, and ‘Island In The Sun’.

Weezer – Good Things Festival Brisbane – photos by Bec Harbour

Weezer did a cover of Hole’s ‘Celebrity Skin’ and followed it with ‘Beverly Hills’, ‘Pink Triangle’, the deep cut ‘Jamie’, ‘El Scorcho’ and ‘Pork and Beans’. Weezer were then joined on stage by Victoria Asher from the band Cobra Starship to perform ‘I Just Threw Out The Love Of My Dreams’. The band closed out their set with ‘Say It isn’t So’ and the very popular ‘Buddy Holly’.

I went for a walk to catch a bit of Lorna Shore’s set at Stage 4. This band should have been on Stage 1 or 2. They brought the intensity of their heavy rock music to a whole new level. Their performance was brutal, precise and unforgettable. Will Ramos’ screams were electric and the entire crowd felt the impact. Catch this band – they are just so good!

Lorna Shore – Good Things Festival Brisbane – photos by Clea-marie Thorne

It was the end of the night. I wandered back to catch the last of Tool‘s headlining set. It really did feel like emerging into another world. Tool’s set was dark and strange as they delivered their 10-song set. Maynard James Keenan held the crowd in his grip. He prowled as the crowd looked for him as he darted forward only to retreat back into the shadows. Tool’s visual language reinforced: the LED screens lighting up the showgrounds with psychedelic artwork.

Fans hoping for the canonical big hits of Tool may have left wanting. The songs I recognised, as I am not a huge fan, were ‘Jambi’, ‘Pneuma’, ‘Crawl Away’ and ‘Invincible’. But the band wouldn’t be Tool if they showed up and played the hits. I loved ‘Dancing Queen’ as the outro after the dark ending of ‘Vicarious’.