Factory Theatre 29/08/26

This is the first time I have seen The Drones live, which is embarrassing to admit. I am aware that they are responsible for one of Australia’s greatest songs, and yes, I realise they are an iconic band that many other Australian bands cite as their influence. I just haven’t got to see them. This was such a long awaited reunion tour, for such a loved band that the sell out shows, across mulitple nights, all over the country wasn’t surprising.

So I arrived early cause a/ I needed to buy merch, and 2/ I don’t like to miss the support, who happened to be Mess Hall, whom I also don’t believe I have seen. I know, I know… So I am glad they also came out of retirement for this gig. Lots of catchy, easy to bounce and do some foot tapping to. Just a guitar and a drum but pleanty of noise.

The Drones started with Private Execution, the song, not the act, which has that screamy guitar sound, with the bass and drum rolling through that they pull off so well. Just like that, the crowd was all in. I was standing on the right to be in front of Fi, (my chick bass players thing. I think we’ve covered this). The Factory Theatre I generally postition myself next to one of the barrels on the first raise/step, however there were ten, or so, chairs at the front right side of stage for peeps who needed to sit and had booked them. At the back of these roped off chairs is where I popped myself. Ain’t no one taller then me if there sitting! It was a great spot, and as it happens, the seat people never arrived so some of those around me half way through set had a sit. I had a few songs I was looking forward to. I knew they weren’t going to play Cold and Sober and had dealt with my feelings of lose before the gig; I’m Here was just as beautiful live as I thought it would be. Shark Fin Blues came just after half way through. I had studied the setlist, I was ready and excited. What I was not ready for was a guy passing out to the left of me taking out 3 chairs with him, and people pushing each other, out of the way of him, and each other. I tried very hard to be concerned, but one of Australias best songs was being played live in front of me so I actually just wanted security to get him out quick so I could immerse myself in the moment. They carried him out, and I watched and listened. Fin by fin. Goosebumps as I write…..

The encore consisted of Six Ways to Sunday followed by River of Tears, a Kev Carmody song about the horrific unlawful shooting of an Indigenous man by police in Marrickville in 1989. Look it up. Tragic. Needless to say hearing it, being covered, in a Marrickville venue, was, intense. There are natural quiet breaks in the song and Gareth almost lowered his voice to a whisper as the guitars rattled. The entire crowd was quiet and still, untill some bogan up the back yelled “YES”…… The second whisper to silence was respected and The Drones managed to do what I have not seen many bands do; get a crowd completely silent. Pin drop silence. The crowd observing a silence for David Gundy, the illegally executed man whose family have never seen juctice. Some people may take issues with bands ending sets on covers but there are times where I think it is perfect. This was one of those times.