Words by Matt New
Pix by Angie New Photography
Good Things Festival once again delivered in 2024 with a strong line-up of eclectic alternative musical acts spanning a wide range of styles.
One act that has long eluded Australian audiences is 311. The genre-bending quintet from Omaha, Nebraska, has become a unicorn for many Australian mega fans eager to experience them live. Many have been forced to travel abroad to see them play, so it is a welcome relief to finally see them reconnect with their devoted fanbase down under after such a long time. 311 is a personal favourite band of mine, and I have always admired the unique individuality of their music and the message of love and unity they stand for. It’s no surprise that a good time is guaranteed at their live shows, and we have been teased by what we have seen from them at Good Things Festival, so bring on a full 311 show!
Tasked with the opportunity to support 311 on their sideshows were Adelaide pop metallers Heartline, a band that has been working their way through the heavy music underground, blending a wide range of influences into their sound. One of the main reasons they were selected for upcoming tours with bands, such as (Hed)PE, is their ability to deliver an intensely dynamic performance. From the very first note to their very last, Heartline seamlessly weaved between chunky detuned metalcore-style riffs and pop-inspired synth landscapes, engaging and entertaining the audience with their delivery.
Frontman Luke Taylor showcased an incredibly strong vocal capability, soaring over the thundering rhythm section with his massive vocal range and control. However, it did appear that he was experiencing technical issues with his wireless microphone, as it crackled and glitched throughout the set. Regardless, this minor setback did not deter him or the band as they powered forward with the show, smiling through the inconvenience. Heartline treated the Sydney audience to new tracks from their 2024 EP Pink Lemonade, dedicating the song Lovers to 311. Taylor also proved to be a very gracious individual, humbled by the opportunity to support a band with such an extensive musical history and cultural impact.
He remarked that none of the guys in Heartline were alive when 311 were at their peak. That being said, Heartline is a sign that Australia’s heavy music scene is laden with boundless talent and potential, so we need to continue to support these emerging bands as much as we possibly can.
26 years is a very long time, and that is how long it has been since 311 last graced Australian shores. They toured for the Vans Warped Tour back in 1998, which seems like an eternity ago. 311 are pioneers of genre-bending music that found success in the nineties, along with other bands such as Red Hot Chili Peppers and Faith No More. They are also known for having one of the longest-serving original line-ups of any band in music history, with the same personnel since 1991. It was great to see so many die-hard 311 fans gather at Liberty Hall in Sydney’s Entertainment Quarter for this highly anticipated event on a school night. Given the gravity of this show, it would be a massive item ticked off my personal bucket list, and I made sure I was stationed at the barrier in front of one of my guitar idols, Tim Mahoney. The realisation I was able to see this show and experience it as a fan, but also being able to cover it for HEAVY made the moment even more symbolic.
311 entered the stage under a soft blue hue that enveloped the Liberty Hall stage, briefly noodling on an exotic jam before ripping into Beautiful Disaster. A fun song that showcases the band’s punk and reggae roots, giving fans a chance to sing along to both the vocal melodies and the dual guitar leads shared by Nick Hexum and Tim Mahoney. The band’s “happy slam dance” anthem Do You Right followed, and the Sydney audience went absolutely crazy, feeding 311 an intense energy that pushed the band up a gear.
All Mixed Up and Come Original were up next, easily two of the band’s most distinguishable hits, and they had the crowd singing and dancing frantically. It was at this moment I realised we were in for a special night. Could it be we were destined to witness a set that would vary significantly to other sideshows, and reward the patience of many Sydney 311 fanatics? It felt as though we were, but we would have to wait and see.
Taiyed demonstrated some incredible lead guitar playing by 311’s PRS-wielding axeman Tim Mahoney. His emotive style of playing was mesmerizing, as you got lost within his amazingly tasty guitar solo, all the while his enormous pedal board glowed underneath him like an alien spacecraft. One of the most defining unique facets 311 possesses is they have two vocalists with arguably different vocal styles. Nick Hexum, with his crooning baritone timbre that modulates between abrasive and liquid smooth, and Doug “SA” Martinez, with his contrasting tenor range that is a perfect complement to Hexum’s voice. SA is one heck of a performer, completely versatile and dynamic, as his role varies widely within every song. Providing gorgeous backing vocal harmonies, taking the lead on the mic, spitting out some vicious rhymes, then scratching away on his turntables.
311 recreated The Cure‘s Lovesong for the Adam Sandler film 50 First Dates, and they have magically made it their own. Their delicate reggae interpretation of this cover gave you the overwhelming feeling of wanting to hold your loved one close and sing along together. It would not be a complete 311 show without a bass and drum solo. Firstly, bassist Aaron “Pnut” Wills slapped away on his signature 5-string Warwick bass, showing his incredible talent on the instrument. Then, progressing along to cover Rage Against The Machine’s Killing In The Name on his lonesome, as the entire Sydney audience sang along to accompany him. It was evident how much this resonated with him, as he smiled along, humbled by the interaction. Then let’s move on to drummer Chad Sexton. He is one of the greatest drummers of the modern era, that probably does not get spoken about enough. His drum solo during Applied Science showcases the depth and range of his technical ability, as he absolutely left everyone’s jaw on the ground.
The remainder of the band returned to join Sexton on stage for a group drum jam, with each member having their own compact drum setup on stage. This was highly entertaining as they threw sticks across the stage, demonstrating the range of musicality each possessed beyond their given instrument.
Sydney’s first treat of the night was the live debut of the title track from 311’s 2024 release Full Bloom. A catchy track that has some progressive elements, including a chorus that takes listeners off guard with its odd time signature changes. The set only continued to deliver as the band dug deep into their three-decade-long back catalogue, with some rarer tracks such as Eons, Sick Tight and Brodels getting a spin live. Nick Hexum made it completely clear that they are making up for a 26-year absence and rewarding the old-school fans with a set that would leave any 311 fan elated. Hexum is quite the charming and courteous frontman. Softly spoken between tracks, he becomes the complete opposite when he gets stuck into his craft, as he spent the majority of the night leaping and bounding all over the stage like a hyperactive cat.
Almost every song the band played was a sing-along, but Amber took the cake for crowd participation. Another of the band’s softer tracks, it was met with every crowd member swaying their hands high in the air as they collectively made their voices heard to 311. So much so that Hexum commented, “Sydney, you sound so good”. Finishing the set with Creatures (For A While), a song that highlights the band’s more aggressive edge, 311 took a brief respite to catch a break before returning to the stage for an encore.
Omaha Stylee, a song that serves as an autobiographical account of the band’s origins and challenges coming from a city not normally recognized for its music scene. Finally, the band’s biggest hit Down from their 1995 self-titled record topped off a captivating performance, and the perfect way to say thank you to all the loyal 311 fans in the venue that night. But that was not enough for the Sydney faithful, as they screamed for “one more song” ferociously. Just like Good Things in Sydney, 311 accepted the demands of the crowd and played Feels So Good from their debut release Music.
23 songs and 90 minutes later, the show came to a triumphant conclusion. 311 came together collectively to bow to their adoring fans, thanking them for their support and amazing energy. They were sincere and massively humbled by the experience, as you could see many of the members got slightly emotional.
Guitar picks, drumsticks, and setlists were distributed by the band members to fans, as many stuck around to converse about what they had just witnessed. This show was easily one of the best of 2024, as it was cathartic but also resonated boundless levels of hope and positivity. Given that Australian audiences have had limited moments to share with this band, hopefully, it will not be another 26 years until we see this amazing live ensemble tour Australia again.
