We’ve been looking for a cure for the Soundwave shaped hole that’s been left in all our hearts for years, we’ve finally found it. It’s true what they say after all, good things come to those who wait (and apparently, to those who brave extreme heat).

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Redhook

Stage 2: 12:00 – 12:30

We’re not going to do that thing where we compare every female vocalist with red hair to Hayley Williams, Emmy Mack is in her own league. Won’t take it from us? Take it from the dude bopping along in his banana suit. If their unique brand of electronic hard rock wasn’t enough to pump the crowd up, their cover of Limp Bizkit’s Break Stuff sure as hell did. Keep your eyes on these Sydneysiders, there’s big things in their future. // Chanel

Void Of Vision

Stage 1: 12:30 – 1:00

It probably took all of two minutes of Void Of Vision’s set before the first bout of circle pitting broke out. Bringing their predictably heavy goodness to Parramatta Park, frontman Jack Bergin urged the crowd to spin this shit as hard as they could—and, if the dust being kicked up in the air was anything to go by, they sure as hell did (sorry asthmatic friends!) // Chanel

WAAX

Stage 3: 12:45 – 1:15

Nothing but the best from WAAX today! Though Violent Soho’s Michael Richards was filling in on drums, not an ounce of energy was lost with the Brisbane punk’s set. Playing some new songs that were teetering on the edge of grunge, screaming through several verses, Maz got sweatier and sweatier—sounds and sentiments that have set a precisely for the day! // Anna

Water Parks

Stage 2: 1:00 – 1:45

The only thing better than the food truck hawking smashed avo on toast? Managing to demolish said toast while watching the finest pop punk out of Houston, Texas. It was good vibes all around for Waterparks. Punters, whether covered in glitter or clad in mosh shorts, were out in full force for the bouncy tunes, finger pointing to their heart’s content. // Chanel

Boston Manor

Stage 4: 1:15 – 2:00

With a circle pit here and a few crowd surfs there, Blackpools Boston Manor touched down in Sydney FOR THE FIRST TIME! letting loose with their well-crafted mix of pop punk ballads getting Sydney siders to their feet. Between Henry Cox’s voice radiating from the front to the back and the Trophy Eyes inspired backing sound, pop-punk electricity was in the air.

Northlane

Stage 1: 1:45 – 2:30

Representing Sydney, we welcome Northlane. The most earth shattering performance of the day. From pyrotechnics to non stop mosh pits, Northlane took us from dying from heat to dying for more. With the introduction of their new bassist, the Sydney natives rocked the show the only way they know how—like fucking bosses. // Sarah

The Wonder Years

Stage 3: 2:00 – 2:45

After all these years, The Wonder Years still wear the crown as one of pop punks most modern well, wonders. Now venturing to the down under there was hype like no other that no one expected but everyone here wanted. Playing a very balanced set through their albums, not only did they show Sydney what they are made of, they proved to the crowd WHY they are one of the biggest names in pop-punk. They went above and beyond to show their crowd an energetic, unforgettable performance. Even sharing their emotion before and during playing Raining in Kyoto. Collectively, the whole crowd sang, putting their hearts and souls into every song. These Pennsylvania natives got the crowd up and ready to go from the very start, reminding us all of why we stand in the blistering heat just to see bands play live. // Sarah

La Dispute

Stage 2: 2:30 – 3:15

Jordan Dreyer, we have one question: how the hell do you manage to look aggressive while jingling a goddamn tambourine? Sure the tambourine was broken two songs in but the question still stands! Backed by vocals that could be best compared to a pissed off school girl, La Dispute tore through the choicest cuts of their back catalogue, and still found time to preach about equality and the importance of looking after each other. As Dreyer came, into the crowd the band closed with Such Small Hands (y’know, the anthem for the tumblr youth). As for the crowd though? I’m pretty sure we all left with the strongest desire to get the iconic floral logo tattooed on us in memory of their killer set. // Chanel

Make Them Suffer

Stage 4: 2:45 – 3:30

Heat? What heat? Make Them Suffer turn up the heat with a boiling performance. Couple of technical issues weren’t enough to stop the show rolling. New single 27 went down with a lot of love from the audience. From the rumbling drum opener, to the guttural vocals, right to the bouncing crowd, sharing sweat, Make Them Suffer do WA proud! //Anna

Babymetal

Stage 1: 3:15 – 4:00

I’ll be real for a minute, trying to find a spot where my five-foot self could watch Babymetal’s set was a little bit of struggle. Why? Because the crowd was at its most intense for the day during these 45 minutes. With a dusty field full of both genuine fans and punters keen on being part of their first ever Australian shows, the trio put on a goddamn performance in every sense of the word. From the costumes, to the dancing, to the flag waving, to the heavy as shit instrumentals; Babymetal killed it. Hell, there was even a punter with a broken arm chuckin a little bit of a mosh to gimme chocolate!! (true story). Not a fan of the band? Don’t let that stop you from catching them live. Let’s just hope it doesn’t take as long for the girls to make their next trip to our shores. //Chanel

Payale Royal

Stage 3: 3:30 – 4:15

This Canadian Trio set the roof alight. From the moment the guitar struck a chord, it also struck a spark in the crowd. After you battled the high pitched squeals and crying fans, you noticed their stage presence was out of this world and the passion steaming off the band was enough to get even the most undedicated pit member in amongst the action. //Sarah

The Used

Stage 2: 4:00 – 4:45

Not for the first time has frontman, Bert McCracken, brought his daughter to share the Sydney stage with him—the adorable dance he does with her adds and ‘aww’ factor to the The Used’s vibrant punk emo rock. Ain’t no greater feeling than family, and The Used spare no love for their extended Sydney family! //Anna





Scarlxrd

Stage 4: 4:15 – 5:00

Coming to Good Things Sydney for your pop-punk/metal fix but finding a rapper? Dont despair, Scarlxd doesn’t disappoint. With one leg dipped in the metal pool and one in the rap pool, he is changing both genres into something fresh and something great. With high pitched screams piercing through your ears and infectious background sounds, he is a must see! // Sarah

Bullet For My Valentine

Stage 1: 4:45 – 5:45

Phwoar! Doesn’t matter where they go, a crowd gets really riled up before Bullet For My Valentine hits the stage! Chants of ‘Bullet! Bullet! Bullet!’ began beneath the stage and washed backwards over the euphoric crowd. Frontman Matt Tuck could easily, accidentally, ingest his mic with the power that erupts from his mouth. These Welsh metalheads were stirring the crowd into a frenzy, songs from their latest album Gravity ringing out particularly well. // Sarah

Tonight Alive

Stage 3: 5:00 – 5:45

Nothing like a bit of Gloria Gaynor and Aretha Franklin to hype up the crowd before the Tonight Alive set right? Arriving fashionably late the hometown heroes kicked off with The Other. As the crowd sent akubras flying around (never change Australia), the posi punk crew threw it back a little with key cuts from The Other Side. Unsurprisingly though, it was the promise of ever older tunes that brought the loudest cheers out of OG Tonight Alive fans (Wasting Away anyone?). And sure the cheers were loudest here, but the crowd surfing was at its absolute strongest during The Edge. There was no crowd surfing Spider-Man this time around (a staple of the bands’ Sydney shows over the last few years), but the energy in the park was still at an absolute high. Tonight Alive left every punter feeling empowered, and can we really ask for anything else? Oh and spoiler alert: there was no Corey Taylor cameo. //Chanel

Mayday Parade

Stage 4: 5:45 – 6:45

As one of the most anticipated bands to watch at Good Things Sydney 2018, Flordia’s own was let down by technical difficulties. Causing the first half of their show to be barley heard. But as they played Jamie All Over, it was as if it never happened. With the crowd pumping and no lyrics missed, Mayday Parade picked it back up and brought us back to A Lesson in Romantics as we remember it. // Sarah

Dropkick Murphys

Stage 2: 5:45 – 6:45

Such is the vibe generated by Celtic punk rockers Dropkick Murphys, you could well be in a brawling Irish pub and not exposed to the elements in a gutsy Aussie Park when they perform. Massive fan favourites like Rose Tattoo were chanted word for word by an enigmatic crowd, a volatile and passionate love shared between some great showmen and an even greater audience. // Anna

All Time Low

Stage 1: 6:45 – 7:45

Honestly, we probably could have reviewed All Times Low‘s set without watching it, but that ain’t a bad thing! If you’ve been to any ATL show over the years you’d know the boys have built their reputation on bouncy, fun sets and this was no exception. Pausing only for some cheeky banter and to smash down some JD and coke thrown in from the crowd (would we expect anything more from All Time Low?), their set was as good as cake on your birthday (lol). // Chanel

EMMURE

Stage 3: 6:45 – 7:30

As one of America’s longest standing Metalcore bands, there’s no doubt that Emmure wouldn’t bring the thunder and they definitely brought the thunder … down under. Playing songs from 2017’s Look At Yourself, the crowd went wild from Crowd surfs to circle pits. Emmure turned Good Things Sydney into their stomping ground. // Sarah

The Smith Street Band

Stage 4: 7:30 – 8:30

Making their way back to the streets of Sydney, The Smith Street Band the passionate delivery from lead singer Will Wagner is what made the set it’s own. His voice accompanying the instrumentals, perfectly. Hundreds flocked to the stage, watching, waiting and most of all moshing their asses off until there was no room to move, drink or even breath—the perfect combination for a band smashing their way through their set. With most songs coming off their new album, it showed more than ever the creative forces inside these Melbournians and the all round basis for their personality. Their punchy rock tracks get straight to business through the set, from new school to old school, the crowd was being drawn in more and more with every song, not wanting to end. In conclusion, if you weren’t in the crowd to watch The Smith Street Band, you were missing out on something unforgettable. // Sarah

Stone Sour

Stage 2: 7:45 – 8:45

Happy 45th Birthday, Corey Taylor! And what a way to celebrate! Stone Sour were always going to have a bit of oomph and a bit of grit behind them, as the hard rock heroes boast an amazing catalogue of bangers, like Absolute Zero, Tired, Through Glass and Song #3, all of which they played in their party-like set. Pyro and confetti exploded on stage for opener YSIF with Corey regularly manning the confetti cannon. After Taipei Person/Allah Tea, the dense crowd raucously sang happy birthday to the vocalist to which he replied “the great big mouth is a little bit older today.” Returning to the front of stage with an acoustic guitar, Corey said, “it’s my birthday but you motherfuckers are a gift”, asking his adoring audience to sing along with Bother, to which everyone enthusiastically obliged.

For closer Fabuless, giant inflatable tube men popped up and danced around the stage, a little hilarity wrapping up a whole lot of energy for what was hands down, the best performance of the day!

Dashboard Confessional

Stage 3: 8:30 – 9:30

It’s always a good time for a little throwback to the MySpace emo era! Despite having one of the more subdued crowds of the day, Dashboard Confessional brought out a heavy dose of feels, taking us all back to our youth. With Chris Carrabba’s vocals dripping with emotion, there was no chance anyone was leaving this set with dry eyes. // Chanel

The Offspring

Stage 1: 8:45 – 10:00

Performing their seminal album Smash in its entirety, closing for Good Things with The Offspring was for many, a trip down memory lane—but for others, it was an opportunity to witness history.

You’d never have guessed the band had to relearn some of the songs before these performance’s as guitarist Noodles shredded his way through Bad Habit, Something To Believe In, and Why Don’t You Get A Job? The crowd of course really got into Come Out And Play, even if the band didn’t. Closing out Smash was Self Esteem and the crowd went wild! Returning for an encore of hits, Dexter took to a piano for a slower rendition of Gone Away, before the band paid homage to an Aussie great with a fantastic rendition of AC/DC’s Whole Lotta Rosie.

The sunburn, dust, and sweat of the day were made totally worth it as The Offspring went off with Pretty Fly (for a White Guy), a raucous crowd satisfied and getting their fill with some amazing music.

From the infernos of Northlane, to the insane choreography of Babymetal, the volatility of Make Them Suffer, to the confetti of Stone Sour, Good Things Sydney had a party set for everyone. The sweltering heat and localised dust storms weren’t enough to put a damper on anyone’s enthusiasm throughout the day, the crowds grateful for the return of a heavy music festival, and in awe of one so damn good!