KING GIZZARD BRINGS A PSYCHEDELIC TRIP TO THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL
Written by Sophia Fascenelli June 23, 2023
Film photos by Sophia Fascenelli, courtesy of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association
Jazz, metal, punk, and psychedelic jams—that’s what King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard brought us on a psychedelic, trippy Wednesday night at The Hollywood Bowl (June 21, 2023).
Over the past month, the psychedelic rock band King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, have been trotting around the U.S. on a residency tour. The band made stops at The Caverns Underground in Pelham, TN, Red Rocks in Denver, CO, Salt Shed in Chicago, IL, and Carnation Farms in Carnation, WA, while ending it off with a three-hour marathon at the iconic Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, CA. The band released their 28th album, "PetroDragonic Apocalypse; or, Dawn of Eternal Night: An Annihilation of Planet Earth and the Beginning of Merciless Damnation," on June 16, 2023, just in time for their marathon at the Hollywood Bowl.
King Gizzard’s live performances are wild, just like their fans. Fans were seen dressed as wizards, lizards, and a few fans were spotted in animal suits in the pit. It’s known across the Gizzverse to dress up at their shows. While walking into the venue, fans were in a crazy long line, hoping to snag one of the band's limited-edition posters. For every King Gizzard show, there’s a special poster for each night, but if you’re lucky, you’ll get the limited holographic poster (limited to about 400 prints) that’s sought after by many. Their fans, and the band themselves, were one of the most welcoming groups of people I’ve experienced at a show.
Film photos by Sophia Fascenelli, courtesy of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association
King Gizzard’s performance was magical. The band performed a 24-song set over the three hours, opening with Eyes Like the Sky, which they haven't played since 2018. With their biggest show to date, the band was ecstatic on stage. Fans in the pit were moshing and crowd surfing all night long to the band’s industrial punk. The crowd was generous towards the band by sharing the occasional cigarette that they would throw on stage. After a few songs, King Gizzard took shots with the crowd and carried on.
King Gizzard's astonishingly psychedelic visuals stole the night. The rings surrounding the Hollywood Bowl's stage glistened in glaring colors as the on-stage screen featured trippy, psychedelic visuals constantly projected behind the group. The visuals were engaging with every song they were playing. There was never a dull moment during the show, as I was in awe of the lights, flute melodies, and gorgeous venue. The love and connection of music brought everyone together for a legendary King Gizzard show.
Before their last song, multi-instrumentalist from the group, Ambrose Kenny-Smith, dedicated the song to his former music teacher.
"I’m dedicating this to my old music teacher, who said my voice was too weird for this. Look at me now!" Kenny-Smith said as he jokingly flipped off the 17,000 fans sitting in front of him.
Whether you came to the show as a new or old fan, everyone left with the joy and excitement of being able to say they were at King Gizzard's three-hour marathon at Los Angeles’ very own Hollywood Bowl. King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard put on a performance so high-geared, it's something you won’t forget.
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SETLIST
Eyes Like the Sky (first time since 2018)
Year of Our Lord (first time since 2018)
The Raid (first time since 2018)
Evil Man (first time since 2016)
Rattlesnake
Pleura
Gaia (>)
Gila Monster (with Gaia reprise)
Supercell
Witchcraft
Organ Farmer
Crumbling Castle (>)
The Fourth Colour
The Grim Reaper (with “Intergalactic” by the Beastie Boys at the end)
Magenta Mountain
Down the Sink
Astroturf (with Cavs drum solo after)
Shanghai (“I wanna grow wings and fly” jam)
The Garden Goblin
Ambergris (preceded by ”sex” jam)
Iron Lung (>)
Hypertension
Magma
The Dripping Tap (With Cellophane tease)