Review: King Stingray @ Hindley Street Music Hall 28/03/25
Yolŋu surf rockers King Stingray delivered an unforgettable night of tunes, culture and good vibes when they took over Adelaide as part of their Aussie tour.
Words Dakota Griffiths
Image Maclay Heriot
King Stingray w/Beddy Rays & The Belair Lip Bombs @ Hindley Street Music Hall 28/03/25
It was a massive night at Hindley Street Music Hall as fans of all ages packed the venue for King Stingray’s highly anticipated Adelaide show. From the top of the balcony to the front of the barricade, there was a sense of unity. Young children, longtime fans, and first-timers alike had come together to experience the magic of Yolŋu surf rock. Despite the night running slightly behind schedule, the atmosphere was nothing short of electric to the very end.
First up were The Belair Lip Bombs, bringing their signature indie-rock sound to the stage. The last time they played Hindley Street Music Hall, supporting Hockey Dad in 2024, the sound quality didn’t quite do them justice, with the vocals being muffled. However, this time they were much sharper, and it was great to actually hear the vocals of lead singer Maisie Evertte. The set was filled with hit tracks like ‘Gimme Gimme’ and ‘Stay Or Go’, and the band even threw in an unreleased song that highlighted Evertte’s impressive vocal range, which hasn’t been showcased on previous releases.
While their music undeniably stands out, their stage presence still has room to grow. A little more crowd interaction would have gone a long way, as it was clear most of the audience wasn’t familiar with the band. At times, they seemed almost too cool to be there, which made it hard to fully connect to their set. The Belair Lip Bombs are talented, it’s just a matter of time before they command the stage with the same confidence as their peers.
Beddy Rays captured the attention of everyone in the room as they spilled onto the stage to ‘Electric Avenue’, setting the tone for an all-out, high-energy performance. If anyone in the crowd wasn’t already a fan, they certainly were by the end of their set. Opening with fan favourite ‘Wait a While’, Beddy Rays had the crowd singing at the top of their lungs from the get-go.
Their set wasn’t without challenges; technical difficulties meant the drummer’s fallback wasn’t working, causing him to be slightly out of sync, resulting in lead singer Jackson Van Issum trying his best to not only remember lyrics, but also balance the instrumentals and try to stay in sync as much as possible for the first three songs. They powered through with an impressive level of musicianship, proving just how tight they are as a band. The response from the crowd was insane, with a mini-mosh pit forming early on and energy levels hitting 100% for the entire set. If you didn't know any better, you’d think half the room was there just to see them. With a new album dropping mid-year, Beddy Rays promised to return to Adelaide soon.
It was then time for the main event. Hailing from the Northern Territory and Queensland, King Stingray returned for their first headline show in Tarndanya (Adelaide City) since 2022. This show was particularly significant as it was one of the first Australian shows with new vocalist Ngalakan Wanambi stepping in after the departure of Yirrŋa Yunupiŋu. If anyone had doubts about how the band would fare with a lineup change, they were silenced within moments of the first song. Opening with the standout track, ‘Through The Trees’ taken from their sophomore album For the Dreams, they immediately had the crowd in the palm of their hands.
This wasn’t just a concert, it was an experience. White curtains draped from the ceiling beams, creating a backdrop for vibrant, shifting projections that added another layer of depth to their performance. Between the music, visuals and seamless blending of traditional Yolŋu culture with Australian surf rock, King Stingray transported the audience straight to East Arnhem Land. The setlist was packed with fan favourites like ‘Camp Dog’ and ‘Milkumana’, alongside tracks from the new album like ‘Southerly’ and ‘Lookin’ Out’.
One word comes to mind when describing their set: connection. Everything about King Stingray’s performance encouraged connection, whether it be with each other, the music or culture. The entire room was dancing, fully immersed in the moment and embracing the blend of English and Yolŋu Matha (the language of the Yolŋu people). The respect and love between the band and their audience were palpable, making it clear why King Stingray has such a strong fan base.
From start to finish, the night was an unforgettable showcase of talent, energy, and culture. King Stingray proved once again why they are such a special band within the Australian music scene, delivering a performance that was more than just music; it was a celebration of identity and storytelling, bringing people from all walks of life, culture and language together.
