Live Review: The Drones @ The Gov 04/09/26

The Drones w/The Mess Hall @ The Gov 04/09/26

Going back about 20 years, the trusted shopping centre newsagent used to sell magazines more than personalised name placards for bedrooms. During that time, I bought a lot of music magazines and one local press listed The Drones as one of the best Australian acts going around. I had not known of this band but decided to investigate.

Since that time, I hunted for any album of theirs to see what the fuss was about. The first record I gathered was Gala Mill, an intensely dark and sombre listen. With the purchase of Wait Long by the River and the Bodies of Your Enemies Will Float By, I was hooked forever.

Fast forward to 2016 and The Drones went on hiatus. Lead vocalist and guitarist Gareth Liddiard and bassist and vocalist Fiona Kitschin went on to form Tropical Fuck Storm with some new faces and continued to build their legacy. It seemed like I would never get to see them live, but now, in the present day, The Drones are back and have packed out The Gov as part of their one-off reunion tour.

Joining them on the road were The Mess Hall, another alternative rock outfit that have cast off the shackles of retirement and hit the road once again. Jed Kurzel and Cec Condon created a sonic explosion from their opening song. Many around me were wondering where these guys had been for so long.

Kurzel's vocals were on point, and Condon created an underlying drum pulse-scape that pulled in the crowd. At one point Kurzel blew out his guitar, imploring us to buy a T-shirt so they could get their gear fixed. Condon even wove the refrain "T-SHIRT, T-SHIRT, T-SHIRT" into one of the songs. The closer, 'Keep Walking', had everyone wanting more from The Mess Hall. The duo seemed to have a lot of fun, and we want to see them again.

I did not know what to expect with the dreariness of The Drones' music from the CDs I had listened to in the past. But, like Australian rock royalty, the band strolled onstage, drinks in hand, ready to have a good time. For those who have never seen frontman Liddiard perform, he moved like a man possessed; a demon from his insides exerting pain and ecstasy simultaneously upon him.

After opener 'Private Execution', follow-up 'Sitting on the Edge of the Bed Cryin' continued the raw passion The Drones exemplify through an eight-minute epic, becoming a thinking person’s requiem.

"Up here for thinking, Adelaide," Liddiard pointed to his head after introducing the story behind 'Luck In Odd Numbers', showing there is more to their music than incredible noise. Once again, the under-10-minute dirge showcased how switched on and in sync everyone was. Although she played her signature bass lines with her back to the audience, bassist Kitschin was in utter control of her moments, and we understood her pivotal role in the music.

READ MORE: Live Review: DICE @ The Gov 08/08/26

The next two songs really amped up the energy and voices of the crowd. 'Baby²' became the first singalong, with the chorus, "Babe, you can't never die", screamed back at Liddiard and company with gusto. Without losing the distortion soundscape, he motioned to drummer Christian Strybosch the next song, which then was indicated to keyboardist Steve Hesketh with a hand up upon his head. I knew it was 'Shark Fin Blues'. It pleased the crowd immensely – an anthem and quintessential Australian rock classic which I have now had the privilege of seeing live.

The somewhat short set ended with a cover of Kev Carmody’s 'River Of Tears', but not before we caught a glimpse of something unique. Liddiard, mouth pressed against the microphone, stayed motionless. The band followed, bathed in a stark green light. The noise of the crowd overpowered the moment until they realised that The Drones commanded silence. Eventually it came and there was a moment of clarity amongst the crowd, like a calm before the storm, before the band kicked into gear again and turned The Gov into a wall of sound. The song concluded and The Drones exited.

As we waited for the encore, we realised that it was not the same short pantomime as many artists. It continued for a minute. Then one house light turned on. The in-house music playlist started up. Was that all? Seven incredible epics? Did the crowd disrespect them by talking too much?

Then the voice of guitarist Dan Luscombe echoed through the PA: "Sorry about that... We'll do a couple more."

The band returned to a roaring crowd for two more songs: 'I Am The Supercargo' and the intense 'I Don’t Ever Want To Change', which I first heard back on Gala Mill many years ago.

This was a one-off concert experience that I am glad I saw. Not only for the prowess of The Drones in their raw punk blues rock intensity, but also for the return of The Mess Hall.

Both bands need to be commended for a show that was leaps and bounds ahead of some of the shows of bands who are equal in longevity. I am aware that this reformation is temporary for both, but we can always hold hope for more gigs in the future.