Review: Korn @ Adelaide Entertainment Centre
They came, they saw, they conquered. Korn demonstrated why they are still one of the best rock acts to emerge from the early 00s nu metal scene.
Words Harry Nathan // Images Justin White
Korn w/Loathe @ Adelaide Entertainment Centre 04/12/24
Korn’s 30th anniversary show saw a sold out Entertainment Centre filled with an electric buzz from fans young and old. The diverse age range is a testament to Korn’s enduring appeal, with a sound that speaks to many generations.
There were couples bringing their teenage children along, all equally excited to experience Korn for either the first time in a while or ever, regardless of when they discovered the band.
The night opened with the explosive crunch of ‘Here to Stay’. The band cut their sound for the line “fucked up feelings again” to have the entire arena sing the words back. The crowd didn’t need to be asked twice. When the line came around again, they were ready and belted it out at the top of their lungs. Korn wasted no time digging into their deep catalogue of tunes, punching the crowd with favourites ‘Dead Bodies Everywhere’ and ‘Got the Life’, with the crowd embracing the call to “get your boogie on.”
During the intro to ‘Blind’, singer Jonathan Davis acknowledged the gap since their last Adelaide show, promising fans they wouldn’t have to wait so long next time. This was followed by a massive vibe shift when Davis yelled, “Are you ready?” For a moment, it felt like the audience was transported back to the height of Korn’s popularity, giving newcomers the experience of a wild crowd at the mercy of the band’s unwavering power.
Korn kept that energy up for the next few songs before Davis briefly left the stage as the band jammed, only to return with bagpipes for the iconic intro to ‘Shoots and Ladders’. They ended the track with a surprise snippet of Metallica’s ‘One’, sending the crowd into a frenzy.
A grinning Davis exclaimed, “Fuck, I’m having fun. This is the shit,” before leading the crowd in shouting “Fuck that!” to kick off their seemingly last song, ‘Y’all Want a Single’.
Though it seemed like the end, the crowd knew better. They were taunted by phrases like “Anybody still here?” and “Is that all you got?” projected in Korn’s unmistakable font on the big screen. Their desperate cheers were rewarded with a three-song encore of ‘Falling Away From Me’, ‘Oildale (Leave Me Alone)’ and finally, ‘Freak on a Leash’.
By the time ‘Freak on a Leash’ blasted through the speakers, everyone knew this was the grand finale and they gave it everything they had. The cheers lingered as guitar feedback looped and the band said their goodbyes, leaving the audience still buzzing as they spilled onto the streets.
Korn did what they do best – unite generations through a shared love for their music, proving after 30 years, they still know how to “get your boogie on.”
Check out the full gallery of Korn at Adelaide Entertainment Centre here.
