LIVE: PARKWAY DRIVE – Perth, 30 Sep 2024

LIVE: PARKWAY DRIVE – Perth, 30 Sep 2024
RAC Arena – with I Prevail, The Ghost Inside, Void of Vision
Review & photography by Luke Baker

For those wondering if Parkway Drive and their stellar lineup of support acts had any fuel left in the tank for the final gig of their 20th Anniversary Tour in Perth, the answer was a resounding YES. Sleepy little Perth was wide awake as the band delivered a show that surpassed all expectations.

Kicking off the night, Void of Vision wasted no time in getting the crowd moving. With “explicit instructions to warm up the crowd,” they launched into their set with ferocity. By the time frontman Jack Bergin asked for “some room” and threw himself into a circle pit, the arena was alive with movement. Their energy grew as the audience did, setting the stage perfectly for what was to come.

The Ghost Inside brought their own brand of emotional intensity to the stage next. With more lights and a bigger presence, they had the crowd in the palm of their hand. Jonathan Vigil’s raw, heartfelt speech about their tour bus crash and their fight to return to touring was met with applause, but it was the singalongs during tracks like Aftermath and Engine 45 that really brought the room together. Their performance was both powerful and cathartic, a true testament to their resilience.

By the time I Prevail took over, the arena was buzzing with anticipation. Their massive visuals and relentless energy had everyone on their feet. The band powered through their set, with highlights like Bow Down and their ever-popular cover of Taylor Swift’s Blank Space, which had the crowd belting out every word. It was clear this wasn’t just a filler set — they were here to make their mark. By the time they wrapped things up, the entire venue was buzzing, eagerly awaiting Parkway Drive’s highly anticipated arrival.

From Winston doing his signature crowd boxer-style walk-in entrance to Jeff strumming the first few notes of Carrion as the opener, RAC Arena had barely minutes of reprieve ahead of them from this now legendary Australian act. A solid and appreciated mix of older album drawcards and newer album highlights meant no matter when you got into Parkway, you got what you came for.

A medley mix from the Killing With A Smile album saw Luke switch his regular axe for a flying V guitar, and Jeff roll out his newly acquired James Hetfield Snakebyte ESP, a nod to their metal-inspired younger years. My, how far they’ve come.

Winston upped the ante by launching into the crowd during Idols and Anchors, instantly putting the pit into a frenzy. Those in the seated areas were now pretty much an extended part of the GA. Bottom Feeder, paired with pyrotechnics that no doubt had the fire crew on edge, showcased Winston flaunting a god-like silhouette suspended 20ft in the air. It was a perfect metaphor for where Parkway Drive stands now: untouchable and doing whatever the fuck they want, as long as it comes with punch-in-the-face vocals and dropped riffs that shake the entire venue.

When Ben’s turn came, the crowd knew what was coming — pyro, bullet-fire drumming, and a full 360-degree drum rotation. A sure sign the night was nearing its end, the fans called out for their must-hear favorites. Parkway Drive delivered. Crushed was belted out by the entire arena, and the unmistakable anthemic intro of Wild Eyes closed the show, leaving the crowd in awe of what could only be described as a flawless finale to the Australian leg of the tour.

Well played, Parkway. Well played. Here’s to 20 more years.

Category: Live Reviews, Photo Galleries