Soundwave Feature

 

Every year at the end of February thousands of heavy music fans congregate at what was used to be called the RNA showgrounds but is more well known now as the “EKKA”. The Soundwave festival is one of the biggest and fastest growing music festivals in Australia. It started as “Gravity Soundwave” in Perth which was just as few bands many of which were not even international. As it grew in popularity it then spread to neighbouring states in 2007 and included both Sydney and Brisbane festivals,  the line-up grew to more bands from over sea’s as well as Byron Bay’s own Parkway Drive. Each year the line-up grew and grew and the festival spread to Adelaide and Melbourne. Although it is primarily thought of as a “heavy” music festival bands such as Paramore, All Time Low, and in the early days Good charlotte were the festivals first real headliner. Much like any music festival the line-up is always full of controversy with bands pulling out for unknown reasons or rumoured bands not showing up on the final line-up but year after year shows are a complete sell out including both Melbourne and Brisbane festivals this year. This years festival also had its fair share of controversy with Avenged Sevenfold pulling out of the festival because they believed they were a more influential band then this years headliners Iron Maiden and withdrew after being denied by Soundwave organisers to headline the show. Controversy aside headliners Iron Maiden, Queens Of The Stone Age, and the guitar god himself Slash with his new band and big hit album to share with thousands of Australian fans will ensure a sell out crowd in almost every city. Although the floods have put many Queensland families and businesses into crisis mode no news has been put out of any venue change for this years Brisbane festival although the Perth venue was changed due to the show “Ruining the grass”. Brisbane has always been said to have one of the best soundwave shows because of its suitable venue and sell out crowds and even many of the bands have said Brisbane is the city to play at. This years Soundwave has said to be the biggest yet by promoters with over 70 acts performing in one day and has now expanded from the usual six stages to include two extra stages and an Annex for bands to play on. Heavy metal fans rejoiced as this years line-up “brought back the metal” to Soundwave 2011 as well as appealing to both pop punk, hardcore, and punk rock fans with bands such as Brisbane’s own The Amity Affliction,  Mayday Parade, Slayer, Bring Me The Horizon, and punk rock legends Sum 41. So as February the 26^th draws closer and closer and fans prepare for Australia’s biggest heavy music festival as it opens up for the 5^th annual Soundwave Festival.