.

.

ONEFOUR
+ LF70
+ Miss Kaninna
+ RFA17
@ Festival Hall, Melbourne,
8th June 2024
(Live Review)

Review by Tristan Skell

Photos by Drew Hill (@drewhillphotos)

.

ONEFOUR / Photo – @drewhillphotos

.

On June 8th, Festival Hall in Naarm/Melbourne came alive with the sounds of four homegrown artists for “The Get Back” tour. The evening kicked off with dynamic performances from Miss Kaninna, who brought her unique style from lutruwita/Tasmania, followed by Western Sydney’s drill talents RFA17 and LF70. These acts amped up the energy and set the perfect stage for the headline act, Mt Druitt’s own ONEFOUR. Each act brought a unique storytelling style, with ONEFOUR depicting life in Mt. Druitt through their lyrics, Miss Kaninna highlighting Indigenous experiences, and RFA17 and LF70 reflecting the realities of their Western Sydney environment. The artists addressed various social themes, focusing on community and resilience, making their performances impactful and resonant with the audience. Their music not only entertained, but also offered a meaningful reflection on their respective journeys and communities.

.

RFA17 / Photo – @drewhillphotos

.

First to take the stage was RFA17, making a striking entrance in all-white outfits complemented by black masks to maintain their anonymity. As the ONEFOUR logo transitioned to display their name, the crowd gradually gathered. RFA17’s set delved into themes of gang loyalty, familial ties, and betrayal, underscoring the significant impact these themes have on their lives and music. The group’s compelling lyrics and enigmatic presence set the tone for a night filled with raw and authentic storytelling, resonating deeply with the audience. Despite slight sound tech issues after the first track that left the crowd in silence for a few minutes, RFA17 rebounded as the sound came back, reigniting the audience’s energy as they seamlessly continued their set. The group’s phenomenal stage presence and dynamic crowd interactions, coupled with their ability to lyrically bounce off each other, culminated in a brilliant opening act, readying the crowd for the rest of the performances.

.

MISS KANINNA / Photo – @drewhillphotos

.

Next to grace the stage was Miss Kaninna, a proud Yorta Yorta, Djadja Wurrung, Kalkadoon, and Yirendali woman who grew up on the shores of Bruny Island. Accompanied by a talented drummer who added an extra layer of depth to her soundtracks, Miss Kaninna’s performance was nothing short of phenomenal. She began with a heartfelt acknowledgment of the traditional custodians of the land, honouring the First Nations people who have cared for it since time immemorial, setting a respectful and powerful tone for her set. One of the first of many standout tracks from Miss Kaninna’s performance was “Disconnected”. She shared the song’s backstory, revealing it was written during her initial move to the city, where she felt a profound disconnection from her people and her country. Additionally, she treated the audience to a sneak peek of an upcoming unreleased track, “Push Up”, set to drop on June 28th. Unlike the drill artists on the line-up, Miss Kaninna’s style blends hip-hop and rap. Miss Kaninna’s ability to convey her message to the crowd was truly remarkable. She performed for her people, ancestors, and fellow Blak brothers and sisters facing oppression, discrimination, and the tragic reality of deaths in custody. She highlighted the struggles and lack of opportunities for Blak women like herself. Her life changed with the release of her debut single “Blak Britney”, which garnered immense support from her fans. This pivotal moment showcased her talent and determination, propelling her forward in her career and allowing her to use her platform to raise awareness and inspire her community. To conclude her set, Miss Kaninna performed “Pinnacle Bitch”, followed by a heartfelt speech advocating for justice and solidarity with the Palestinian people. Her words emphasised the importance of standing together against oppression and seeking peace for all communities.

.

LF70 / Photo – @drewhillphotos

.

Next up to grace the stage was the second anonymous group on the bill, LF70. As they took the stage, the logo behind them morphed into a striking dripping blood red version of their name. To engage with the audience and set the bar for their energy, they began by throwing water over the crowd. As the night progressed and the crowd grew, the energy in the venue also elevated to a new level. Much like RFA17, this drill group also emphasised themes of street credibility, gang loyalty, and survival in their lyrics. After their first track, they encouraged the crowd to get more involved by having everyone hold up their flashlights in unison, lighting up the room. Following the conclusion of their last track, they requested one more song from the Melbourne audience. As the crowd cheered and roared, the rest of their crew joined them on stage, throwing countless water bottles into the audience. As they exited, the venue crew promptly cleaned the drenched floor, priming the stage for the headliner, ONEFOUR.

.

ONEFOUR / Photo – @drewhillphotos

.

Before ONEFOUR took the stage, a sign reading “Welcome to Mt. Druitt” was displayed. The crowd roared as it signalled that the group was just about ready to invite them into their world. The lights dimmed, and the crowd cheered as ONEFOUR took the stage to perform their opening track, “Freedom Of Speech”. The backdrop burst into flames, framing the name “ONEFOUR” in a fiery display. The venue was packed, an impressive turnout for their first headline show in Melbourne after previous cancellations. ONEFOUR delivered an unforgettable performance, featuring hit tracks from their album “Against All Odds,” such as “Home and Away.” The crowd especially connected during the softer ballad “Heartless,” singing along and creating a memorable moment of unity with the group on stage. Three-quarters into the show, ONEFOUR left the stage momentarily, allowing the crowd to catch their breath and absorb the incredible performance so far. As they returned, the instrumental for their 2019 single “In the Beginning” began, with the bass shaking the entire venue. The group’s passion was evident in their body language and performance, and their gratitude for their fans shone through, creating an electric atmosphere. Now it wouldn’t have been an official ONEFOUR performance without their most streamed track, “Spot the Difference.” For their encore, they reemerged with their entire squad to perform the track, dousing the crowd with water just as their previous support acts had done. The venue erupted as the audience and mosh-pits went wild, shaking the ground with their energy. With ONEFOUR’s set concluded, the show came to an electrifying end, signifying a triumphant comeback for the group after years of overcoming challenges. All four acts on the bill shook Festival Hall to its core, collectively delivering a powerful message to all of Naarm.

.

ONEFOUR / Photo – @drewhillphotos

.

Check out Drew Hill’s (@drewhillphotos) full gallery of this event HERE

.

ONEFOUR / Photo – @drewhillphotos

.

Follow ONEFOUR
Instagram – Facebook

.

.

AMNPLIFY – DB