Ocean Grove - Gig Review & Photo Gallery 24th May @ Oxford Arts Factory, Syd NSW

Ocean Grove
‍Oxford Arts Factory, Sydney NSW
May 24th, 2025
Supports: Diamond Construct and Dregg 

What better way to warm yourself up from loitering on the cold streets of Sydney than packing yourself into a sold out Oxford Arts Factory on a Saturday night? This deal becomes even sweeter when the premise of the night is a journey through the career of Ocean Grove, from their most raw to their most defined. A celebration of a band so essential to the notions of what music can and should be, when undefined and unchallenged by the pressure and expectations of genre confinements, creative deviation, and self expression. Rallying an army of acts that share this ethos in the form of Diamond Construct and Dregg, the night was an explosion of sound in its most loud, impassioned, and expressive form. 

It took mere moments for the chill from outside to instead be replaced by a sweltering heat, produced by the mass of bodies infiltrating the room for openers, Dregg. I have never seen this venue conjure such a large and attentive crowd for an opening slot, and it became a clear indication that what I was about to see wasn’t just some regular opener, but someone with a reputation- to entertain, to capture, and to kill. From the moment the act took the stage, and the frontman pranced in apt snow goggles (although wrapped and knotted in his black, curly locks), the vibe was pure and unbridled insanity. Dregg, at their core, are a genreless entity of shock and adrenaline, feasting on the suspense and confusion found lurking in every progression of their music. This feeling bubbles out to the crowd, making for not only the most packed early room, but the rowdiest. I had a good feeling that this show was going to be feral, and Dregg gave the room early permission to go buck wild. There is an entertaining juxtaposition on stage as Dregg works through their catalog; Chris Mackertich loses his sanity before the crowd, rolling back his eyes and traversing through silly tones and voices. To his right, Aiden Zovic adopts the most menacing and frightful stance, scowling at the crowd before him- his stealthy eyes enough to get you moving out of pure fear of what may happen if you stand still. The dynamic is alluring enough, even without the music. But it, of course, is the music that seals the deal. In a musical economy where one's sound brand is often key, Dregg finds their identity within the chaos of fluctuation and the liberties of craziness. As the pit moved all set long, and bodies shouted eagerly over the hip-height stage, the fanfare seemed to peak within the performance of ‘Butterscotch Biscuits’. In a dazing flurry of lights, bodies began to descend from the air- with hopes that another sacrifice was there to land on. The song became that of an anthem, ceasing to have a mouth within the front floor unmoving. Dregg have created their army, and it’s only a matter of time before their takeover reaches that of the proportions they are fully capable of. 

Next up were the homegrown heroes, Diamond Construct. If you have been to any local Australian metalcore show within the past few years, the chances you have seen DC are undoubtedly high. They have become a staple in the scene- and for good reason. After solidifying their identity in Angel Killer Zero, Diamond Construct took their recorded, and live, presence to new heights. Formulating a marriage of electronica, raps, and screams, the Taree born band have slowly but surely grown into an identity that is outspoken, flamboyant, but so utterly themselves, leaving all nay-sayers and haters in their mass wake. I find a smile brimming upon my face whenever I see their name on a lineup, regardless of this potentially being close to the second digits of seeing them live (which is something I can’t say for other bands). Sporting a fresh haircut, vocalist Kynan Groundwater, seems to have his bedazzled Nike tracksuit on a heavy dry cleaning rotation, strutting on stage and blinding all in his path. The only thing perhaps more blinding than his matching set were the lights on behind the band. I am here for a good light show- who needs VIVID right? But these lights were truly something else. A group of us towards the front began to cover each other's eyes, praying for a break in the strain the bright white flashes were bombarding upon our eyes. The result was fruitless, and the set became a daze of hoping you could see where you were moving to, and praying that the splotch you saw was the light moving and not a body hurdling 100 miles an hour towards your neck. My biggest criticism of the set itself is born purely from my repeated attendance at DC shows, in the hopes I would get a dramatically changed setlist. But I understand this balance is hard- appeasing the people who have been there throughout the journey, but putting your calculated foot forward for others first show. 

In saying this, there are many songs played that are just truly an experience to hear live, particularly ‘Switchblade OST’. Roaring through different styles and tempos, the crackly chorus saw Kynan almost growling into the mic, and the lyrics being uttered by many in the front row. Despite some crowd movement, the band seemed to be disappointed in the crowds efforts, with constant pleas from Groundwater: “Get the fuck in that pit and MOVE!”. It was one of those moments where you just wanted to shake everyone in the room and spin them into action- why weren’t they moving. With head shakes and movement making a slow and gradual increase, it was time for the finale, ‘Hit It Back’. It was almost like the room was filled with an entirely different crowd. Thunderous roars, people pouring into the middle- this was the reaction the band had been looking for, but it seemed to come too late and too trivial. AKZ was a standout release for the boys, and it is a collection of songs which are still growing into the live experience. No matter the response, Diamond Construct always comes out draped in a palpable confidence and with one thing in mind- to put on a show. Born from the ashes of judgement and not fitting in, DC left the stage just as self-assured as they started, and that is testament to their strength and fractious experiences as performers. 

Now for Ocean Grove. I’ll make my claims fast and strong…

Ocean Grove are one of, if not, THE best live band currently within the scene. 

Without the bells and whistles of fancy stage tiers and crazy graphics, and in this case, cemented by a presence on a tiny stage with no barricade, Ocean Grove manages to capture in a way unlike any other- constantly and continuously.

The Ocean Grove journey has been a tumultuous one full of changes, growth, and learning. The very essence of the band’s music in itself has changed dramatically, today landing itself within a nu-metal fusion in the form of ODDWORLD. Of course, the dirty screams of Black Label, where it all began, have not been forgotten, charging through the veins of the many of these tracks. Tonight, this was not merely another show, but it was an auditory and visual storybook of where the band began, where they are now, and what comes next. Celebrating the oldest and newest albums specifically, as well as welcoming the entire OG family to the stage (besides Running Touch), Saturday night was a history lesson that will forever be treasured in the records for one of Australia’s most influential bands.

As the persistent utterances of “OG Forever” began to ring throughout the venue, the band, at their most powerful, made their way onto the stage. It was vocalist Dale Tanner, who stole the show. Adorned in a massive white parka, sleek fingerless SPEED gloves, and his hair meticulously tamed back, he radiates such an air of untouchability, swag, excellence. And this is just walking! This same flair invigorates him on stage, making anything that expels from his microphone almost like a siren song, entrancing rooms with an ability unmatched by other frontmen. There is an observed ease and effortlessness to him, whilst also seeing the passion strain from his face in every note.

However, it is no one member that makes Ocean Grove the group that they are- but it is every building block on that stage, every member's past and present, and community, or rather, family collective they have created that now stands before them. This is what makes Ocean Grove so special, and the highly regarded band they have found themselves to become today.

Taking a look at the setlist a few moments before the show started, I thought maybe we had until song three, ‘I Told You To Smile’ until things really kicked off. I have never been more wrong in my life. It took three seconds of ‘CELL DIVISION’ before shoes, some OG branded, flew through the air, and bodies wailed in screams and songs. Tonight, the stage was hip height with no barricade, the perfect combination for crowd surfing to stage diving. A constant tidal wave of people fluctuating on top of bodies before pile driving themselves into the victims below. Over and over again. There is perhaps no better representation of this band than seeing half the crowd on stage with them- this is the comfort they have so delicately nurtured; the notion that this band is as much as ours as it is theirs.

These were sentiments that rang throughout the night- tales of their trials and tribulations, developments, and what it's like to celebrate these two albums in such a recessive and unique way. This was a showcase in every way. This was Ocean Grove at their most powerful. There was something so awe-inspiring seeing Dale and Luke conduct the stage together, with many songs allowing them to not only glide from each other's vocals, but almost compete, jokingly ganging up on each other, bursting blood vessels in the forehead, a dedication to their passionate cause. You then also have many songs calling Twiggy Hunter from his bass and up to the front lines. In an exhibition of prowess and talents, Ocean Grove presented an opportunity to show themselves off in every facet- and the people lapped it up, big time.

To say this was the most feral show I’ve been to in quite some time is still a grievous understatement. Of course, what kind of journalist would I be if I were not in the depths of the pit. Feet to the head, and bruises present along my arms the next day, it’s been a long time since a crowd was so unified, moving in perfect conjunction with one another, yet still abandoning all rules of an expected public space, a clear indication the music had truly taken over.

The night was perfect in every way, but was the performance of ‘Raindrop’ that I think really sold it for me. Always a favourite from the album, it was beautiful to see all its melancholy translated live, a warmth radiating from Sam Bassal’s drums and hypnotising the ground below. This track is truly one everyone must experience live. Of course, there were many old hits that were also overwhelming to see live, like ‘Backbone’ and ‘You Know Something We Don’t?’. And it was clear this moment was cherished by everyone, especially the older fans. Sweaty men leaked overhead as they pointed, before forcefully bashing their way to the centre of the room to celebrate this release of energy.

Before leaving for good, OG also paid homage to one of their most perfectly crafted albums, Flip Phone Fantasy, by giving the final song privilege to ‘JUNKIE$’. Coming as a surprise to many fans, there was an explosion of energy both on and off stage, with both parties giving everything they had to each other in one final assertion of togetherness and connection. 

Wringing out my pants (filled with both my own sweat and other people’s), as well as unknotting my hair from the guy next to me, the sheer exhaustion that hit everyone like a freight train was the most pure sign of a night to remember. 

I will forever reiterate my love for Ocean Grove, as it is a love that is made credible by their ongoing professionalism, showmanship, creativity, and ability to exceed expectations time and time again. They are a must see band that are not only staples within our scene at home, but are flying the flag as one of Australia’s most influential and important exports. Although the night was a celebration of then to now, journeying with the band through their many identities and styles, I took one thing away from the storytelling present on stage. Ocean Grove’s story does not end here, and despite the years under their belt, they are truly just getting started. Setting a new precedent for creative identity, and raising the bar for what live shows should be, this is a band bustling with energy, and exerting it in ways that make a community orbit around them. If you haven't been a part of this movement, you are missing out immensely. 

Review by Georgia Haskins @ghaskins2002

Photo Gallery by Jackson Saunders @jsaundersfilm. Please credit Wall Of Sound and Jackson Saunders if you repost photos.