King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard Electrify McMenamins Edgefield with a Storm-Soaked Spectacle
When King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard took the stage at McMenamins Edgefield in Troutdale, Oregon, the crowd knew they were in for something special. What they didn’t expect was a show that would become part of the elements, turning a concert into a storm-soaked experience as unforgettable as the band’s genre-bending sound.
The Australian rock juggernaut kicked things off with "The Dripping Tap," a fitting choice given the clouds looming overhead. The song’s hypnotic groove and relentless energy immediately set the tone for what would be an electrifying night. But just as the jam hit its stride, nature decided to get in on the action. Torrential rain came pouring down, forcing the band to temporarily pause the show.
Despite the delay, the crowd was undeterred, eagerly awaiting the return of the Gizz. And when they re-emerged, something magical happened—the rain didn’t stop, but neither did the music. For an hour and a half, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard tore through a mind-bending set in the midst of the downpour, and the fans, drenched but undaunted, reveled in every moment.
The band pulled songs from across their sprawling discography, turning the stage into a melting pot of their diverse sonic palette. Tracks from Murder of the Universe brought a chaotic, storytelling intensity, while the heavier, thrash-metal grooves from Infest The Rats' Nest turned the rainy night into a headbanger’s dream. The crowd was more than happy to mosh through the puddles.
One of the highlights of the night was the band’s dive into Polygondwanaland, where their mix of complex time signatures, kaleidoscopic riffs, and ever-shifting dynamics felt even more immersive under the stormy sky. Tracks from Fishing For Fishies lightened the mood, blending their eco-conscious lyricism with a boogie-infused sound that had fans dancing through the rain.
There was something almost primal about the band’s performance in such an intense, natural environment. Stu Mackenzie, leading the charge with his virtuosic guitar work and charismatic energy, seemed to feed off the storm, driving the band forward through each epic, genre-blending track. The synergy between the band and the weather only added to the atmosphere, creating a raw, elemental connection between King Gizzard and their audience.
The set was a testament to the band’s versatility and their ability to seamlessly weave between styles. Whether it was the prog-rock explorations of Polygondwanaland, the fuzzy, eco-disco of Fishing For Fishies, or the pummeling ferocity of Infest The Rats' Nest, King Gizzard delivered it all with precision and passion. Even in the face of nature’s own setlist changes, they proved why they’re one of the most compelling live acts on the planet.
As the final notes rang out and the rain finally started to let up, it was clear that the storm had done nothing to dampen the spirits of the band or the crowd. In fact, it only seemed to amplify the experience, turning a great show into a legendary one.
For the fans who braved the downpour, this wasn’t just another concert—it was a shared moment of pure, unfiltered rock ‘n’ roll energy that transcended the weather and left everyone soaked to the bone and buzzing with adrenaline. King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard have always been known for their unpredictable, boundary-pushing performances, and at McMenamins Edgefield, they delivered a show that will go down in the annals of rock history.
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