Two Diary entries from Gong Crawl ‘25

The unrelenting rain did not deter the turn out last Saturday as Crown St and surrounding areas came alive for the Gong Crawl 2025.

With so many acts and venues to choose from, it was difficult to plan ahead or decide where to go! The feeling of overwhelm is a testament to the many live music venue options we’re spoiled for here in the Gong. So disclaimer - there are so many acts that I’d loved to have seen but just didn’t make it. Here are just a few of my highlights.

We started early at Two Smoking Barrels for the unofficial ‘opening ceremony’. Joel of Slippery John Sausage and his Electric Swamp got us all singing in call and response about crayfish, and mountain dew. Our free burger and chips was a great way to kick the day off, and truly a breakfast of champions.

Next up at La La La’s, the first acts to baptise the stage were Shakamoto and Cool Jumper. Two young, local, and insanely talented bands who are definitely ones to follow. In honor of Aus Music T-Shirt Day today I want to shout out one of the best band tees I’ve ever seen from Shakamoto - this wizard dude.

At this point we were separated, but Corey enjoyed hardcore local legends L.O.W., and I managed to catch the tail-end of Proxy Diver at Aftermath Tattoo Parlor. Just enough to enjoy the high energy and humidity of the mock pit with onlookers pouring into the street.

By now we slowed things down and enjoyed the art exhibition "Rhythm and Repetitions” at Van Q Vintage Shop, a regular spot of ours. It is such a super cool space downstairs in the former bank vault - the ambience was perfect as the audio visual piece playing on two monitors echoes around the rooms of ceramics, paintings, and drawings.

Next stop was Music Farmers. I squeezed my way to the front to catch the start of Sylvia Lane’s set, gave Kylan a bandaid for his bleeding finger on stage, then hopped over to Dicey Riley’s to catch Kitty of the Valley.

Wollongong (the band) was on our must-see list at Side Door Theatre. You had to be there. Yanni Cvetanovic actually has a great little video that captured the moment quite well, towards the end of this reel. There were chants like “everyone take your clothes off”, and music about elves under the Seacliff Bridge.

The energy at Side Door was electric, with Cherry Ripe on the deck in between sets making sure the energy was high and everyone was dancing. I felt lucky to catch a drag performance from Naturel, right before The Tin Knees took to the stage for a singalong to the likes of Pitbull’s ‘Hotel Room’.

It was back to Dicey’s to round off the night for me. My feet were aching by now but I soldiered on. Loved Mannequin Death Squad, the pair switching drums/guitar combo with ease. Mudrat was fantastic, and super humble for someone who’s found great success this year. I recommend them if you are interested in punk rap, and/or a live act that gets the crowds screaming at the top of our lungs “tell ‘em they can get fucked”. 

I’m so glad I made it to see the always cool Private Wives, and what an amazing way to end my night. By now I have racked up over 20k steps and have been out for 12 hours straight, so I walked home.

Upon reflection of the day - the vibes out and about were immaculate. The positive and friendly atmosphere created is all thanks to the organisers at Speed Drive. Thank you, we love Gong Crawl, until next year…

Jessica Edge
Editor of L.I.M.P. Magazine

The rainfall was heavy, but spirits were high in the centre of town—the home of The Gong Crawl.  

My Saturday evening began as my friend Matilda and I stepped out into Crown Street wearing our high heels (we recommend flats if you’re keen on next year’s crawl) and with arms linked. Even before we arrived at our first venue, there was a steady, beating energy like a drumkit soundtracking a street, so full and so vibrant, so busy with fellow music lovers. We pass other landmarks on the Gong Crawl map—Two Smoking Barrels and La La La’s—and escaped the rain for some warmth and a groovy atmosphere at Van Q.  

It was my first time at the vintage store for a music event and what a brilliant introduction to its flexibility beyond a space to peruse clothes. It was packed, my friend and I were caught in a momentary stalemate as we were yet to realise that the people outside were not, in fact, waiting to go in but instead socialising and taking in the last moments of the evening light.  

Inside, we were welcomed in with the swelling sounds of fuzzy indie-rock Twelve Point Buck. Being short in stature, I unfortunately could not convert that into much seeing-the band-with-my-own-two-eyes-action but thankfully my ears work and were blessed with the tunes of a band everyone has been telling me to listen to – I understand why now.  

Van Q was also the venue of an exhibition. Following down the stairs offside from where the bands were performing, one arrives in honestly what felt like a liminal space, suspended in the ether with some beautiful art to appreciate. A special shout out to Pookie’s Ceramics, made by Heather of Sesame Girl, displayed on a gorgeous dresser, sweet, intimate and nostalgic.  

After snapping some pics of art and people on my little digicam, Matilda and I headed over to our next stop La La La’s (not without a quick stop to the EZ Mart for Taki’s) to catch Sesame Girl. However, I have poor time management at the best of times (thanks ADHD), so I had not anticipated that arriving 5 minutes into the band’s scheduled set would be a problem until I saw the line.

No fear, Matilda and I tough it out in the rain with her umbrella and I take some pics of some friendly fellow crawlers. We complain about the high likelihood of missing the wonderful Sesame Girl; but you win some, you lose some and the friends you make along the way make up most of the losses in the long run.  

Read Kirsten’s Interview with Heather from Sesame Girl in L.I.M.P. Magazine Volume 3, the perfect stocking stuffer this Xmas. ;)

Speaking of friends, I (still in line) call out to Sash and Georgia as they hop by the La La Liner’s and I am warm heart and big smile seeing my long-time friend Sash. Although, Georgia didn’t quite remember who I was and I reminded her we did a uni class together (though I couldn’t be that offended for the fact I might have missed that class more than I attended it…). I captured the two friends with my small but mighty digicam and they headed off to complete their own individual journey of the Gong Crawl map.

Now, definitely missing Sesame Girl and slightly nauseous for food more sustaining than Taki’s, Matilda and I leave the line and sit outside to wait for my other friends to arrive. The Taki’s-not-being-enough dilemma was solved by a baked raspberry cheesecake from Kurtosh (obviously) and a water (very sexy and responsible of us on a night out, might I say).  

My friends Trisha and Carol arrived and, of course, performed a mini photoshoot outside La’s. Then we braved the rain again, heading to the best venue in Wollongong (maybe world?) Dicey Riley’s.  

Trisha and Carol charged ahead, I suppose having chosen more appropriate footwear, but they confidently nearly turned the wrong way, so I lasso them back into line with the power of my voice. Moments later, however, Matilda and I lost them with their fast legs and we walked, again, arms linked, feet a little wobbly in heels to our next stop. But the beautiful thing about Gong Crawl is that you never really are alone and halfway to the Irish pub, we bumped into Bella and Ellen.

I stole a moment for quick picture and am reminded of how close-knit our little community is. I attempted to take pictures on our walk but my digicam did not respond well to my shaking hands as I walked and snapped, so I have blurry pics of the street but who ever cared much for picture perfect anyway? A woman asked us, as we passed her by, how our feet were not in pain? Matilda and I responded in unison that they, unfortunately, were. 

Now in line at Dicey’s, and caught up again with Trisha and Carol, I am unaware of who is playing, but I say to my three friends, “I am going to be so hype if it’s heavy.” And, wow, *praying hands emoji* because Totally Unicorn were playing and I didn’t know them but now I am glad I do because holy fuck they are cool. So, of course, I have a little boogie in the crowd. Then I head to the bar and I headbang as I wait in line to buy some beers for Matilda and me. Then I see Sophie because our city is so cool and friends are everywhere in crawl de la Gong. Another snapped pic, then a tapped card, then some fresh Resch’s in plastic cups.

I sit down with my friends in the Dicey’s bistro, Matilda had ordered some chips so perfectly salted they could have only come out of the kitchen of the best pub in the world. Trisha and Carol had some vodka drinks that they offered me, it was gross. Stick with the beers (alcoholic and non alcoholic of course) for your crawl? My friends and I discussed spirituality and Sex and the City and what’s gonna be the next move. Trisha and Carol were keen to dance, so they headed to Humber and then later in the night La’s. I had a smoke outside and dragged Matilda out with me, then we left and hopped on the bus towards West Wollongong because my friend had a party on that night too but I missed most of it (sorry).  

So, off the bus, the rain somehow now even heavier, my friends at the party had now informed me via Instagram DM that they were heading to Dicey’s. And I couldn’t even be that mad because, yeah Dicey’s rules and so does a having a little crawl around the town. 

Till next time xxx