Review: Full Flower Moon Band and Dr. Sure’s Unusual Practice @ Lion Arts Factory
A coin-toss decided which band would play first in this co-headline tour that brought two of the brightest rock talents to South Australia.
Words by Maximilian Levy | Photos by Mark Panizza
At perhaps the best-curated rock show of the year, Full Flower Moon Band and Dr. Sure’s Unusual Practice set Lion Arts Factory ablaze on Saturday, August 31, supported by two of Adelaide’s finest noise-rock bands: Twine and The Genevieves.
To celebrate the release of their newest album Megaflower, Brisbane/Meanjin rockers Full Flower Moon Band (FFMB) hit the road in August for a run of domestic shows. Led by the effortlessly cool Kate ‘Babyshakes’ Dillon, the stoner-rock infused five-piece have amassed a fervent following these past few years, with 2022’s Diesel Forever launching them to national stardom. Received by an audience of rock-and-roll enthusiasts, their performance at Lion Arts Factory marked FFMB’s first ever show in Adelaide.
Joining FFMB as co-headliners was Dr. Sure’s Unusual Practice (DSUP), the Melbourne/Naarm-based brainchild of Dougal Shaw. Following the April release of their third LP Total Reality, DSUP toured Europe before re-joining the Australian circuit in August. Their adventurous, ineffable atmosphere was on display once again on Saturday night with unpredictable setlist that covered all corners of their diverse discography.
Opening the night was The Genevieves -- a noise-rock four-piece revered locally for their blazing live performances, embracing dissonance and visceral sonic distortion. Standouts included new single, ‘Adore You’, and a flurry of their more powerhouse arrangements, including fan-favourite ‘Words’. For their second outing at Lion Arts, the Genevieves impressed again with a well-organised thirty-minute set, later earning shout-outs from both co-headliners.
Twine followed with a strong performance best characterised by screeching feedback, gritty vocals, and hard-hitting percussion courtesy of new drummer Harry Starick. Thea Martin’s violin added a classical flavour to Twine’s chaotic cocktail, while Alicia Salvanos’ rumbling basslines anchored the overall noise amid high-pitched guitar feedback. Tom Katsaras delivered his typically guttural vocals, pouring out emotional intensity with a harshness that seemed destined to crack but maintained sturdy. Like The Genevieves, the harsh feedback of Twine feels deliberate rather than forced, adding depth to the band’s frenzied noise. They closed their performance by announcing they’re releasing their debut album in November.
Following a bill-deciding coin-toss, Dr. Sure’s Unusual Practice played third. Like their studio recordings, Dr. Sure’s set was frenzied and electric, fuelled by political undertones and a blend of new wave krautrock and new wave behaviours. The performance was full of experimentation and energy, inspiring a few mosh pits, which, despite damaging my glasses, I had the pleasure of participating in. Highlights included ‘Head In The Sand’, ‘Infinite Growth’ and a selection of standouts from Total Reality.
Shaw, wearing a shirt that read “NO KIDS IN JAIL”, also utilised his platform to deliver a stirring political message, calling attention to the ongoing genocide in Palestine and the Northern Territory CLP Government’s decision to lower the age of criminal responsibility. After silencing a heckler who told him to “shut up and play a song”, Shaw concluded his speech with encouraging messages of community and collectiveness: “Everything matters. You matter. Our songs matter! I don’t give a f*ck what anyone else says”.
As winners of the coin-toss, Full Flower Moon Band arrived onstage as the night’s closing act, commemorating their first trip to SA with a captivating performance. Playing the entirety of Megaflower, plus extras, the band showed an awestruck Adelaide crowd why they’ve been dubbed one of Australia’s best rock acts. Babyshakes Dillon dominated the stage with the air of a seasoned rock-and-roll star, leaping onto the drum platform or down to the barrier to meet the frenzied crowd head-on. Her power stances perfectly matched the tone of her band’s face-melting riffs, often pointing her Fender towards the crowd like a weapon. It was near-impossible to avert your eyes. Locked into a host of infectious grooves with bassist Marli Swales, drummer Luke Hanson sought to puncture holes through the drumkit with his immense playing. Guitarists Christian Driscoll and Caleb Widener added dynamic swagger to the sound, providing emphatic yet controlled compositions that cut through the mix like a sharpened knife.
The set highlight occurred when members from DSUP and The Genevieves appeared onstage to assume additional percussion duties to create the sound and image of a band like the Grateful Dead. Other standouts included the rumbling ‘Devil’, the edgy ‘West Side’ and ‘New Rocket’ – a fan-favourite, heavy blues single from 2020.
Together, Full Flower Moon Band and Dr. Sure’s Unusual Practice delivered one of the best rock-and-roll shows seen in Adelaide this year. These are two bands you have to see to believe. And on Saturday night, Adelaide saw and Adelaide believed.
