Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney Olympic Park, 21st September 2024
20 years of Parkway with 20,000 fans… let’s fucking go!!
Parkway Drive’s 20th anniversary concert was nothing short of a heavy metal spectacle. Celebrating two decades of dominance, the Australian metalcore giants delivered an unforgettable show, reaffirming their status as one of the country’s premier live acts.
It wasn’t just another gig – it was the coronation of Australia’s greatest metal band; a seismic moment for fans who had been following Parkway Drive since their humble beginnings on the beaches of Byron Bay. The atmosphere in the arena was electric, and it felt like everyone in the crowd knew they were about to witness something very special. With my wife, and two sons, 23 and 19 respectively, we moved into a position on the floor close enough to get a great view but without the fear of copping an elbow to the jaw.
A roar from the crowd initiated the start of the show, as the Parkway boys made their way through the crowd from the back of the arena to the small stage that was set up close to the front of the stage, shaking hands and high-fiving fans along the way. The show kicked off with “Carrion,” instantly pulling the audience into the band’s raw, relentless energy. For many of us who have watched Parkway Drive evolve, this was more than just a song; it was a nod to their early days, a time when they were still carving out their space in the Australian metalcore scene. The crowd immediately sang along with Winston with all their might, almost drowning him out, and then erupted in beautifully chaotic pits once the verse kicked in. My first thought was for the safety of the young lady in the wheelchair in front of us, but this was not an issue. She pushed through that crowd with determination and within a minute or two she had been hoisted into the air and was crowd surfing like a pro. Obviously, this was not her first rodeo…
The boys from Byron didn’t dwell too long in the past though. From the second song, “Prey,” it became clear that Parkway were out to prove they aren’t simply a nostalgia act. Tracks from newer albums, like Reverence and Darker Still, fit seamlessly alongside older hits, showcasing the band’s unrelenting forward motion.
But it wasn’t just about the music – it was also about the moments, and the appearance of Michael Crafter (I Killed The Prom Queen, Confession) to join Winston for “Boneyards” was one of the best. Crafter’s appearance was a collision of past and present, a raw and visceral moment that had the entire arena shaking. The crowd went wild; a sea of bodies moshing, headbanging, and screaming along as Crafter and McCall traded vicious vocal lines. It was the kind of magic you don’t expect, but hope for at every show.
Another great moment of note was the Killing With A Smile medley, consisting of “Gimme a D/ Anasasis (Xenophontis)/ Mutiny/ Hard To Speak Without A Tongue/ Smoke ‘Em If Ya Got ‘Em/ and Romance Is Dead”. Each song in the medley hit hard and fast, showcasing the raw intensity and technical precision that made KWAS such an influential record in the metalcore scene.
From these, to Winston and Jeff’s individual time up on the elevated platform shooting flames high above the crowd, to a rotating drum kit, to molotov-throwing interpretive dancers, to the circle pit around Winston and the lady in the wheelchair in the middle of the crowd during “Idols and Anchors”, it was clear that Parkway Drive had not just put on a concert; they had crafted an experience – one that blended theatrical grandeur with the raw, aggressive energy that first put them on the map.
As the phone-lit arena applauded the slower “Darker Still”, Winston cheekily encouraged the audience, “You’ve had your drinks break, zero to one hundred, let’s go,” before launching into the fan-favourite “Bottom Feeder.” The crowd followed his command without hesitation.
As the show neared its end, Parkway Drive unleashed “Crushed” upon us; a song that was as visually stunning as it was musically punishing. The stage was ablaze with fire, smoke, and rotating drums as the band closed out the night in a truly epic fashion. The set concluded with the band members gathering together to thank the fans for two decades of support, acknowledging the significant role their audience played in shaping the rise of heavy music in Australia. As Jeff started playing the iconic intro to “Wild Eyes”, the crowd sang along with every note, while the rest of the band stood there soaking in the well-deserved love, respect and adulation from the appreciative crowd, before taking to their instruments to play the last song without any theatrics; just 5 guys playing their hearts out to the fans that helped them get to this stage of their amazing career.
The night was more than just a concert; it was a theatrical event that celebrated the growth of both Parkway Drive and the Australian metal scene. With their impeccable musicianship, jaw-dropping production, and emotional connection to their fans, Parkway Drive delivered a show that will be remembered for years to come.
The only downside to this amazing night, if one had to come up with something, was the realisation that most of us will probably never get to see them in a small venue again, tearing it up like days gone by… but with what we just witnessed, is that really worth worrying about?
Our boys have made it to the big leagues, and we couldn’t be more proud of them!
– Phil D
- Carrion
- Prey
- Glitch
- Sleepwalker
- Vice Grip
- Boneyards w/Michael Crafter
- Horizons
- Cemetary Bloom
- The Void
- Wishing Wells
- Killing With A Smile medley
- Dedicated
- Idols and Anchors
- Chronos
- Darker Still
- Bottom Feeder
- Crushed
- Wild Eyes
All photos by Phil and Roz D