King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard at Forest Hills Stadium (photo by Kevin McGann)

 

In their relatively short history, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard have built a huge following and a rabid fan base that will follow them from city to city not unlike the Dead. And like the Dead, there is a growing collection of bootleg live albums and people comparing shows as no two shows are alike. They’ve also managed to put out 22 studio albums since 2012, with four of them being released in 2022 alone and another one (or two) due before the year ends. To say they are prolific is the understatement of the year.

 

This past Friday when KGATLW hit Forest Hills Stadium for what was the FHS’ last show of the season, it was actually my first time seeing them. Announcing that drew a few gasps from fellow photographers who, just like their fans, started naming all the shows they’ve seen. And by night’s end, I could see why. With a music catalog as diverse as any one band could have, the night was a mix of jam, funky, soul, metal mayhem. And with a video screen backdrop that displayed an ever-morphing collage of tie dye visuals it again recalled the peace and love generation but for the digital age. 

 

King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard at Forest Hills Stadium

 

Warming up the crowd that night was London’s black midi. They’ve also built a large following in just the past three years since signing to Rough Trade Records and releasing an equal number of studio albums. And while midi’s sound is more akin to Squid than KGATLW, they too have an eclectic style that finds them exploring different avenues of music with each release. The band consists of Cameron Picton on bass, synths and shared vocals along with Georgie Greep on guitar who paced the stage like he was ready to pounce at any moment. And anchoring the band is drummer Morgan Simpson who is just an absolute beast on his kit.

 

After Friday’s performance I can now join in the chant and tell people to go catch a King Gizz show if they haven’t before. I’m already looking forward to the next one.

 

Scroll down for setlist, fan shot videos and pics of the show (photos by Kevin McGann)

 

black midi setlist: Speedway, Welcome to Hell, Chondromalacia Patella, Sugar/Tzu, Eat Men Eat, John L, 953, Slow

King Gizzard setlist: The Dripping Tap, Magma, Lava, The Garden Goblin, Honey, Sleep Drifter, O.N.E., Gaia, Hell, Magenta Mountain, Iron Lung

 

black midi

 

KGATLW