On January 1, 2025, The Roots delivered a phenomenal performance at Melbourne’s Sidney Myer Music Bowl, kicking off the new year with an unforgettable night of hip-hop mastery. The Grammy-winning collective showcased their unmatched musicality, blending funk, soul, and jazz influences into a seamless and electrifying live experience.

Opening the night, the band immediately captivated the crowd with their signature blend of live instrumentation and sharp lyricism. Black Thought’s commanding presence and razor-sharp delivery set the tone, as he flowed effortlessly over the impeccable rhythms provided by Questlove and the rest of the ensemble.

The setlist balanced fan favorites with deeper cuts, giving long-time supporters and newer fans plenty to enjoy. Highlights included energetic renditions of “The Seed (2.0)” and “You Got Me,” which had the audience singing along and moving to every beat. Their improvisational segments further showcased their instrumental brilliance, creating spontaneous moments that kept the crowd engaged.

The chemistry between the band members was undeniable, demonstrating why The Roots remain one of the most respected live acts in the industry. Each solo performance—whether it was Kamal Gray’s mesmerizing keyboard solos or Questlove’s flawless drumming—added layers of energy and excitement.

By the end of the night, the audience was left buzzing with admiration for a group that continues to push musical boundaries. The Roots proved once again why they are icons in the genre, delivering a performance that will be remembered well into 2025.

Words and pictures by Monique Pizzica

*TOUR SUPPORT ANNOUNCEMENT*

MAYHEM – Deathcrush (Live) (OFFICIAL VIDEO)

Next March, get set to celebrate all things full-blown rock’n’roll, with Aussie rock festival Wanstock returning for its biggest edition yet. Set to take place across two dates in 2025 at the Shoppingtown Hotel in Doncaster, offering back-to-back nights of fun for fans and bands alike, Wanstock will kick off on Friday March 14 headlined by Australian rock royalty, Baby Animals, Taxiride ft Jason Singh and Strait Shooters, with Saturday March 15 headlined by British rock icons The Babys, Mi-Sex, Ted Mulry Gang, Standing Room Only and Day Dreamers.

Born from organiser Geoff Wansbrough’s love of the legendary Aussie pub rock era in the 80s and 90s, Wanstock has evolved since 2018 into an annual showcase of world-class acts alongside talented up-and-comers, with the 2025 edition once again bringing together an iconic array of homegrown and international artists from the rock realms. Tickets for Wanstock 2025 are on-sale now from www.wanstock.com.au/.

Headlining the first night of the Wanstock extravaganza will be none other than Australian hard rockers Baby Animals. Forming in the late 80s, Baby Animalsexploded into view in 1991 with their debut self-titled full-length album. A multi-platinum triumph, Baby Animals also debuted at #1 on the Australian charts, and saw the group win Album of the Year, Breakthrough Artist – Album and Breakthrough Artist – Single (for Early Warning) at the 1992 ARIA Awards. In 1993, the group unleashed their gold-certified sophomore album, Shaved and Dangerous, which debuted at #2 in Australia and snagged Baby Animals a nomination for Best Group at the ARIA Awards, with performances alongside the likes of Extreme and Robert Plant surrounding their own headline shows, before disbanding in early 1996. As they say, absence makes the heart grow fonder, and Baby Animals announced their jubilant return in 2007, releasing their third studio album Il Grande Silenzio in 2008, followed by This Is Not the End in 2013. In 2016, Baby Animals celebrated the 25^th anniversary of their debut album with live performances and a deluxe reissue, and most recently performed in 2024 as part of the Red Hot Summer Tour, alongside Suzi Quatro, Cheap Trick and more, as well as at Legends on the Lawn, alongside Bachelor Girl and 1927, and Mundi Mundi Bash. In 2025, alongside their Wanstock performance, Baby Animals will also perform as part of the Red Hot Summer Tour with ZZ Top, The Living End and Rose Tattoo.

Thrilled to be back to play another Wanstock, Baby Animals said, “We are super excited to be heading back to Wanstock for the second time. We had a blast at the first one and cannot wait to return for another rocking show!”

Also joining Baby Animals on Friday March 14, get set to experience the legendary stylings of Aussie rockers Taxiride ft Jason Singh. Hailing from Melbourne, Taxiride roared into view with their double platinum 1999 album Imaginate, which reached #1 on the ARIA Albums Chart, and boasted earworm singles like Get Set and Everywhere You Go. Taking home the 1999 Breakthrough Artist – Single ARIA Award for Get Set, Taxiride went on to release the certified platinum 2002 full-length Garage Mahal, as well as 2005’s Axiomatic and 2006’s Electrophobia. Helmed by the soaring vocals and electrifying performance of frontman Jason Singh, Singh has remained one of Australia’s most in-demand entertainers, and his high energy rock show performing Taxiride smash hits is one absolutely not to be missed. “Wanstock…picking up where Woodstock left off!” shares Singh of his upcoming Wanstock appearance next March. “Looking forward to joining a long list of incredible artists and bands that have played Wanstock over the years, bring on 2025.” 

And rounding out the first night of Wanstock in 2025 will be Aussie covers sensations Strait Shooters, returning to the Wanstock stage after a rousing appearance at the 2024 edition. With decades in their wake covering every Aussie rock classic from Midnight Oil through to Cold Chisel and everything in between, the party vibes will be strong when Strait Shooters take to the stage next March.

Headlining the second night of Wanstock will be none other than beloved UK rockers The Babys. Celebrating their 50^th anniversary in 2025, The Babys will bring their trademark blend of rock and melodic power pop to the stage, armed with a horde of fan favourites and arena anthems that defined an era. Forming in London in 1975, The Babys have remained an energetic and memorable force to be reckoned with, witnessed with gusto via their live performances, as well as via their cornucopia of hits that span the likes of Isn’t It Time, Every Time I Think Of You, Back On My Feet Again, Midnight Rendezvous and Head First amongst many more. Weathering lineup changes, a breakup in the early 80s and ongoing shifting tides in the music industry, The Babys have not only survived and thrived against change; they have also influenced many contemporary rock artists via their infectious craftsmanship and classic rock sensibilities. Since the release of their 2014 album, I’ll Have Some of That!, The Babys have consistently seen the reunited group perform in America, both headlining and as part of high profile festivals, and most recently performed supporting Rick Springfield at Central Plaza in Fort Dodge. Bona fide music heroes who rock as hard now as they ever did, The Babys will continue to cement their rock’n’roll legacy in 2025 for their 50^th anniversary, which will joyfully include a night to remember in Australia.

All the way from New Zealand, new wave rockers Mi-Sex will also jump onto the Wanstock stage next year on Saturday March 15. A band renowned for their razor-sharp production and high-octane live performances, Mi-Sex kicked off their journey in the late 70s, ticking off multiple top 10 singles, including 1979’s Computer Games taking the #1 spot in Australia, and 1980’s People reaching #6 in Australia and #3 in New Zealand. Also in command of five studio albums, including 1979’s Graffiti Crimes and 1980’s Space Race, which are both certified platinum in Australia, Mi-Sex have continued to pave the way for their dynamic sonic wares against personal and professional tragedy, as well as significant change in the music industry in general. But decades on, the band are definitely excited to head down under for their debut Wanstock appearance next year alongside fellow legends, as keyboardist Murray Burns reveals, “It’s such an honour to share the bill with The Babys at Wanstock 2025. Isn’t It Time must be one of the biggest British hits from the ’70s and remains one of the best rock vocal performances to this day, so our first trip to Wanstock is gonna be a blast!”

Returning to the Wanstock stage once again in 2025, following their headline outing back in 2020 and performing at the 2024 edition of Wanstock earlier this year, Ted Mulry Gang will be taking the stage on Saturday March 15. The unforgettable group behind the 1975 smash single Jump In My Car, TMG’s game-changing track not only boasts spending 11 weeks at the #1 spot on the Australian charts but also bragging rights for TMG becoming the first Aussie act to knock Swedish pop sensations ABBA off the pole position. An enduring and beloved act in the Australian pub realm, TMG simply live and breathe rock and roll, embodying their hard-hitting spirit into tracks like Darktown Strutters Ball, Crazy and My Little Girl. With their previous Wanstock appearance taking place at the glam rock-themed 2020 event and followed the very next day by Melbourne’s first lockdown, Ted Mulry Gang ecstatically returned to Wanstock in 2024 amid much happier circumstances and will once again bring the noise and good times to Wanstock in 2025.

Also jumping on the Friday lineup will be Melbourne rockers known for their stomping live show, Rattlincane, as well as two other acts returning for their back-to-back Wanstock performances next year with Melbourne powerhouse rock trio Standing Room Only, and emerging Melbourne alternative punks Day Dreamers. A band who have swiftly cemented their status on the touring circuit since emerging back in 2017, Standing Room Only merge high-energy original songs with classic rock covers thrown in for good measure. And bringing alt punk tinged by 90s grunge and more to proceedings, Day Dreamers are primed to bring the house down at Wanstock in 2025 with their fresh take on the alternative stratosphere.

An event run by a music lover and for music lovers, the spark for Wanstock festival first ignited when organiser Geoff Wansbrough approached some of his favourite bands to play for his birthday a few years back. Spurred by his love of classic Australian rock and the spirit of the original Woodstock Music Festival, Wanstock was soon born, holding its inaugural event in 2018 at the Burvale Hotel before growing into the event’s current home, the Shoppingtown Hotel, in 2019. Featuring an array of incredible bands over the years, including Dragon, The Kevin Borich Express, Spectrum, Hush, The Black Sorrows, Baby Animals and more, Wanstock offers a true blue rock’n’roll experience while also showcasing some of the local scene’s brightest new talent. “I grew up in that awesome pub rock era of Australian music,” shares Wansbrough. “Every pub had bands on, and the cream rose to the top and we gave the world acts such as INXS and AC/DC. As such, a few years ago, I was having a birthday and thought: maybe I should book a favourite band. Then I thought, maybe I will book several of my favourite bands. The idea grew from there. There are 3 aspects to Wanstock: 1- enjoying some of those classic bands of our youth, 2 – giving some emerging talent a chance to play, and 3 – having some fun while we still can.”

“It was getting too much of a struggle to fit all the bands on one day,” Wan continues, “hence the expansion to two next year. I am really looking forward to this, with such great acts as The Babys in Australia for the first time in a very long time, and the hard rocking Baby Animals. With all the other great supports, it will be an unforgettable couple of nights!”

Tickets for Wanstock 2025 are on-sale now from www.wanstock.com.au/.

WANSTOCK 2025

Tickets available from www.wanstock.com.au/.

FRI 14 MARCH | SHOPPINGTOWN HOTEL, DONCASTER VIC | 18+
BABY ANIMALS
TAXIRIDE FT JASON SINGH
STRAIT SHOOTERS
RATTLINCANE

SAT 15 MARCH | SHOPPINGTOWN HOTEL, DONCASTER VIC | 18+
THE BABYS
MI-SEX
TED MULRY GANG
STANDING ROOM ONLY
DAY DREAMERS