King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard – Live @ Fox Theatre

PHOTOS BY RYAN FLEISHER

If there’s one word that encapsulates the spirit of a King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard show, it’s “uncontainable.” At the Fox Theatre, on a night where the crowd’s anticipation buzzed through the air, the Australian seven-piece band delivered a performance that felt almost too monumental for the venue. With roots stretching back to 2010, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard has built a reputation as one of the most audacious and genre-defying bands of the modern era. Their discography spans a kaleidoscope of musical style s— from prog rock to jazz, thrash, and psych, often blending them within a single song. Known for their relentless creativity, the band has become a cult favorite, their dynamic approach to music both bewildering and exhilarating.

As the band stepped onto the stage, a deafening cheer rose from the crowd. This was a show where nothing was held back, neither in volume nor in energy. From the moment the first note rang out, the theatre seemed to shrink. The sound, powerful and all-encompassing, filled every inch of the space, but there was an undeniable sense that the grandeur of King Gizzard’s performance was simply too vast for the venue. The building, with its ornate, historic charm, couldn’t help but feel constrained by the seismic waves of sound emanating from the stage. The sheer intensity of the music was almost too much for the intimate setting, as if the band was performing in an arena rather than a 4-walled site. It was clear: this was no ordinary show, and the Fox Theatre — usually a home for Broadway musicals and symphonic concerts — was momentarily transformed into a high-energy arena for the madcap magic of King Gizzard.

Gizzard’s performance was, at times, anarchic, but always exhilarating. The well-mannered rows of seats that fill the Fox Theatre on a normal night were quickly forgotten as the show built to a frenetic peak. The atmosphere shifted from that of a formal seated event to something more akin to a general admission spectacle. Chairs were disregarded almost immediately, as concertgoers abandoned their spots in favor of finding a vantage point that would allow them to engage with the band up close. People stood, swayed, and moshed, while others made their way to the front to get even closer to the sonic chaos. It wasn’t just a rock show; it was a participatory experience, a free-for-all where anyone could sing, jump, or lose themselves in the moment. There were no barriers — except for the occasional stray elbow in the pit. If you dared, you could dance anywhere, sing everywhere, and revel in the palpable sense of collective release that only a band of this caliber can conjure.

Part of King Gizzard’s success lies in their ability to each contribute something distinct yet essential to the collective sound. Across the stage, the seven members — Stuart Mackenzie (vocals, guitar), Joey Walker (guitar), Ambrose Kenny-Smith (harmonica, synth), Cook Craig (guitar), Michael Cavanagh (drums), and the rhythm section of bassist/keyboardist Bass Player and Drummer — are all equal players, each vital to the full soundscape that the band creates. Mackenzie, the charismatic frontman, commanded the stage with his effortlessly cool stage presence, alternating between passionate shouts and low, hypnotic vocals. The guitars — often intertwined in intricate, mind-bending riffs — were a foundation for their sonic exploration, while the drummers meshed their rhythms together like a single, pulsing machine, driving the band’s sound forward at a breakneck pace.

Ambrose Kenny-Smith’s harmonica was another star of the show, often used in unexpected ways that added to the band’s signature unpredictability. His harmonica, though a relatively unconventional instrument for a rock band, acted as a conduit between the explosive chaos and the more serene, cosmic passages the band navigated. Joey Walker and Cook Craig, guitarists of exceptional skill, crafted intricate, layered passages that merged together like an undulating river of sound. The two percussionists created a rhythm that never felt repetitive but instead constantly shifted, building momentum as the night wore on.

Visually, King Gizzard’s show was nothing short of a sensory overload. The stage lighting was as vibrant and wild as the music itself, with beams of neon light shooting across the space, illuminating the crowd in surreal hues. The band’s use of lasers and color washes was a spectacle in itself, with vibrant pinks, blues, and greens dancing in perfect synchronization with the pulsating rhythms. At times, the light seemed to blur, casting almost psychedelic patterns onto the audience, enhancing the otherworldly nature of the band’s performance. The visual component was an integral part of the show—it wasn’t simply something to admire from the comfort of your seat; it was a part of the experience. Every light pulse, every shifting color felt in harmony with the constant shifts in the music, creating a dynamic interplay between sight and sound.

This cohesion between audio and visual elements took the audience on a journey. There were moments when the band dove into sprawling, atmospheric passages that invited introspection, only to suddenly launch into blistering, high-octane jams that had the crowd moving in every direction. At times, it was as if they were a swirling vortex, pulling the audience into their orbit and inviting them to lose themselves in the frenzy. The performance was not simply a concert but a living, breathing entity, with each song flowing seamlessly into the next, held together by the collective energy of both the band and the crowd.

As the night drew to a close, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard delivered an encore that felt as exhilarating as the show that preceded it. Their set was a masterclass in creating an unrelenting, exhilarating atmosphere—a party that didn’t stop until the very last note. The Fox Theatre may have been small, but in that moment, it felt like the entire world had converged in Atlanta to witness something extraordinary. Whether they were ripping through fevered thrash, soaring into ethereal psych-rock passages, or commanding the crowd with their sheer presence, King Gizzard proved, once again, that they are a force to be reckoned with. The night, with its dizzying combination of sound, light, and communal energy, was a testament to the band’s unparalleled ability to transcend the ordinary and give their fans an experience that will be remembered long after the final lights dimmed.