Review: Skegss @ Hindley Street Music Hall 19/06/25
A chaotic and joy-fuelled night of surf rock, crowd surfing and circle pits took place when Skegss, The Buoys and Fool Nelson delivered an unforgettable midweek party at Adelaide’s Hindley Street Music Hall.
Words Dakota Griffiths // Images Cameron Stemmler
Image supplied
Skegss w/The Buoys & Fool Nelson @ Hindley Street Music Hall 19/06/25
Despite being a school night, fans of all ages (though a majority appeared to be under 25) were packed shoulder-to-shoulder for a sweaty, chaotic and deeply fun night of live music with Skegss for their Top Heavy Tour.
From the moment doors opened, it was clear this was going to be a no-holds-barred kind of show. A sea of mullets, jorts and moustaches filled the room, and the energy was infectious before a single guitar was strummed.
Fool Nelson opened the night with their signature surf rock sound and an unspoken confidence that set the tone beautifully. Despite being first on the bill, they had no trouble getting the crowd’s attention. Their hit single ‘Falling Apart’ was a clear highlight, with voices echoing across the venue as the crowd sang every word like it was their anthem.
While the whole band played tight, it was bassist Darcy Steven who truly stole the show. His magnetic stage presence made it hard to look away. Before leaving the stage, Fool Nelson teased something big coming later in the year; a return that’s yet to be officially announced, but clearly already anticipated by their fans.
Following shortly after were The Buoys, who burst onto the stage to House of Pain’s iconic ‘Jump Around’ – a bold entrance that made total sense once they ripped into their opening track, ‘Check Mate’. From there, it was a fast-paced and punchy set that showed just how much the band have evolved since their sold-out headline show at Jive in 2024. The Buoys delivered a sharp mix of older fan favourites, newer tracks and even a taste of what’s to come. They’ve mastered the art of letting loose without losing control, and their set was a highlight in its own right.
READ MORE: Review: King Stingray @ Hindley Street Music Hall 28/03/25
As the lights dimmed for Skegss, the energy in the room somehow found another gear. You could feel the floor shift beneath your feet as the crowd erupted the moment the band stepped out, launching into ‘Valhalla’. That alone would’ve been enough to send the room into a frenzy, but it was ‘Get On My Skateboard’ that tipped things over the edge. Suddenly, pits were opening up in every direction. People were flying through the air, shoes were being lost, and an ever-growing collection of bras and beer cans found their way onto the stage.
I applaud anyone brave enough to join the pit, because chances are, you’re waking up sore. There were more circle pits than I could count, but in the chaos, there was a surprising sense of community. Every time someone hit the floor, multiple hands reached out to pull them back up. Crowd surfers were cheered on, protected, and passed like sacred cargo toward the front. It was messy, loud and unpredictable, but it never felt unsafe.
What stood out most was Skegss’ ability to maintain that high-octane momentum from start to finish. The band mixed their classics like ‘Spring Has Sprung’ and ‘Up In The Clouds’ with newer material such as ‘So Excited’ and ‘State of Hawaii’, both of which the crowd already knew by heart. The sing-alongs were relentless, the crowd unwavering, and the vibe unmistakably Skegss: raw, youthful and deeply fun.
Even once the lights came on and the band had handed out setlists and picks, no one was quite ready to leave. People lingered, still singing, still smiling, still buzzing from what they’d just experienced.
It’s easy to think of Skegss as a good-time band (and they absolutely are), but nights like this also show just how much they’ve shaped Australia’s surf-punk scene. From the fans they’ve inspired to the bands they’ve helped shine a spotlight on, their impact goes far beyond a chaotic live show.
Want more pics of the gig? Check out our full photo gallery here.
