King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard @ Ally Pally

I trekked up the steep Alexandra Park hill to see what the King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard (KGLW) would conjure up for their stop in London on their headline tour. 

The Melbourne six-piece solidified their presence in the industry by creating complex compositions in a myriad of styles, having dabbled with microtonal guitars and mind-bending time signatures. Additionally, they’ve gained notoriety for their prolific work rate - 23 studio albums and 15 live LPs in 13 years is no small feat. These days the band are at the top of their game, or at least fairly bored of its rules. With a massive and varied catalogue to choose from, I was interested to see how KGLW would build their set for the historic venue.  

From dark metallic bangers to some sweet melodic psychedelia, a King Gizz show can give a knee to the chin or a kiss on the cheek. Their fans sported some of the longest, lushest hair I’ve ever seen and the air reeked of anticipation for them to come onstage.

The gig kicked off with the track ‘Gaia’ from KGLW’s Omnium Gatherum, the crowd clapping in sync with the track’s building pace of chugging guitar lines. Stu Mckenzie, the frontman and mastermind behind the ensemble, showed off his talent of guttural throat singing, occasionally arching his back and clomping around the stage, whipping his guitar across the monitors. 

When ‘Hot Water’ off their album I’m in your mind fuzz began, the fans really found their voice.  Ambrose Kenny Smith ripped into his harmonica for the first time of the night, while Stu hastily assembled his flute stage right, coming together in harmony for the lengthy jam. Drinks, teenagers, and inflatable crocs could be seen tossed skyward from the pit as the band transitioned into the cinematic ‘Gamma Knife’.  

A true highlight was the mellower hits like ‘Work this time’ which was brilliantly adapted for such a grand stage. Additionally ‘Shanghai’ was a hit with its cute, bubbly synths and pixyish falsetto verses that ran a calming swell through the audience. Serene, tender, and playful was the room before ‘The Grim Reaper’ thumped everyone back into action. 

It takes many types and many reasons to see KGLW play live. Pick one. Enjoy. 

You can find tickets to see this unique live act here.