Best Bits: King Stingray Concert Review

If you’re familiar with King Stringray, you know that their gigs always make for a fun time out. Whether they’re playing the sunset show at a festival or under the chandeliers of your local music hall, the band’s coastal rock and carefree demeanour can lift spirits, make an average week into a memorable one, and remind you of those little parts of life that make up the ‘best bits’. Attending their Brisbane show on their For the Dreams tour, I felt like I was at a mini-festival, with two fantastic support acts joining the line-up to open for the Stingers. The tour has only just begun, so there are plenty of shows still and hopefully this blog will persuade you to hurry and snag up your tickets now!

This is what happened at King Stingray’s For the Dreams show at The Fortitude Music Hall on March 22nd, 2025.

THE BELAIR LIP BOMBS

An incredible opening act for the evening, The Belair Lip Bombs took to the stage with one of their grungier entries, Look The Part. The four-piece, consisting of Maisie Everett, Mike Bradvica, Jimmy Droughton and Daniel Devlin, are a solid indie rock band with a decent sonic range. Stay and Go is bubbly fun, while closing song Don’t Let Them is honest and feels almost bittersweet. Maisie’s lead vocals are strong and beautiful, but I loved how Mike, Jimmy and Daniel all had their moment to shine on guitar, bass and drums throughout the set. Stay or Go and Say My Name were particularly danceable tracks with some cool instrumentals! The Lip Bombs’ show was a great taster for what could easily be a full-length headline set, and hopefully will be soon with apparent new music on the way!

Fave song: Don’t Let Them

BEDDY RAYS

Performing a hometown set, next up were the Beddy Rays with their invigorating coastal rock, starting strong with Wait A While. Pure professional rockers, they needed no time to get comfortable on stage and warm up, treating their audience to a no-holds-barred support show. This tour is a great chance to introduce new fans to their music and all the hits were included – On My Own, Sobercoaster, Week on Repeat. The band – Jacko, Lewy, Brad and Benny – have fantastic chemistry with each other and the audience throughout their shows. Benny’s smile from the drumkit was infectious and Jacko’s enthusiasm at the front of the stage could be felt all the way from the back, especially during their famous cover of Thelma Plum’s Better In Blak. It was great to hear some newer releases, such as the softer Red Lights, and the emotional Hold On and Stay The Same. With an upcoming album, I’ve got my fingers crossed that the Beddy Rays will be on the road again soon!

Fave song: Stay The Same

KING STINGRAY

After an electrifying two support acts, the audience was ready and raring to go for the main event. The band, who puts a Yolŋu spin on the popular Aussie surf rock genre, took to the stage. Up the back, keyboardist Phoebe and drummer Lewis, while guitarist Roy and bassist Campbell stood up the front, flanking Dima, Yimila and newest member Ngalakan in the front centre. Through The Trees was an exciting opening song, setting the standard for what to expect from the band – their optimistic tunes inspiring listeners to throw a camp bag in the back of the ute and drive up the coast with no plans and no worries… maybe just inspiring me?

The show featured many of their big hits, that audiences know and love to share in singing, like Camp Dog and Milkumana early on. Of course, many of the newer songs from For The Dreams featured in the set list too. Light Up The Path was another classic King Stingray song, but I really loved the sweetness of Soon As. I think out of the new album, Cat 5 is my favourite new song. It’s romantic and hopeful, as well as feeling especially Australian.

Although some of the songs are new, there are some staples experiences in a King Stingray show – Roy is great at checking-in with the crowd, giving some context to the songs and what they mean to the band, or giving us a crash course on how to see along, like for Best Bits. The yiḏaki played by Dima (and sometimes Yimila) is such a cool part of the music, which sets the band apart from many other current artists. The band’s use of Yolŋu Matha and the Yimila’s dancing in songs like Hey Wanhaka and Malk Mirri Wayen are so fun to hear and see live.

After a brief pause from the stage, the band finished up with an encore of Looking Out and Let’s Go. The show was wholesome fun and a real reminder of how music connects us all, whether you tap along to the drums on the barricade, sing out during the chorus, or dance from the middle of the crowd. Whether you’re a devoted fan or looking for something to fill an empty night this month, grab a ticket to the next King Stingray show in your area – it should be soon as the tour only just started!

Fave song: Get Me Out

SOUNDS GOOD?

If you’ve already added all of King Stingray’s music to your road trip playlist and need some more suggestions, check out these bands too:

Hockey Dad – You’ll see that all of these bands have that ‘Aussie surf rock’ sound in common. Hockey Dad’s latest album is a softer interpretation, but go back to Blend Inn for some perfect beach day music. 

Spacey Jane – This West coast group is selling out shows across Australia right now, so you might be hard pressed to find a ticket! But there’s a reason they’re so popular and it’s because of their reliably relaxing indie rock that pairs beautifully with a Summer afternoon.

The Vanns – Led with the beautiful vocals of Jimmy Vann and with some incredible emphasis on guitar, this indie rock group is about to release their third record. Their music makes for a relaxed atmosphere and a comfortable environment to dance the night away in!