Anatomy Of a King Gizzard Show

Words by Rowdygizzfan, additions by u/BuzzTheFuzz

Updated Spring '25

I made this guide to address the tidal wave of new fans attending concerts for perhaps the first time. First, welcome to an incredible band known for out of this world live shows. Its quite a rabbit hole and we're a pretty friendly group. You’re going to have a great time attending live but if I see one more new thread in r/KGATLW asking what a King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard concert is like, I swear I’m going to compile all the answers to the common questions into an easily accessible document and publish it for all to read.
Oh wait, that’s exactly what this is.
Before we begin, some disclaimers. I’m from the US and I’ve never been to a major venue or show outside the US. Your mileage will definitely vary elsewhere in the world. Every suggestion I have is just that: a suggestion. Nothing I say should be taken as hard fact and your experience might vary greatly from my written word. DON'T use anything I say in here as justification for your actions and DO take all my advice at your own risk.
And yes, I do go over how to make sure you get a poster.

Crowd shot of a King Gizzard concert with the band on stage

Index

What do I need to do before getting to the show?

  • Tickets
    Know the venue or broker’s (Ticketmaster, AXS, etc.) ticketing policy before attending the show. Some won't accept screenshots (Ticketmaster), some need printed tickets (small local venues), while others need you to sacrifice your first born to enter. There isn't an end-all be-all policy here: check the venue’s policy either online or by calling a few days in advance. It's well worth knowing this before you show up to the venue just to get turned away for a ticket verification you need but don't have.

I would download the specific app (Ticketmaster, AXS, StubHub, whatever) to your phone before you go. Yeah it sucks to have another app but it has saved me so much hassle so many times. Login and make sure you see your tickets if you bought them or accept the transfer if you bought secondhand. Adding your tickets to a virtual wallet (when available) can save headaches in a venue without service or in the case of an overwhelmed cell tower. Don’t expect Wi-Fi or your phone service to work for tickets: always have a downloaded or physical backup when possible or regret being unable to enter.

If you’ve never been to a specific venue before, it can help to download a venue map and other information in advance (see my note about tickets above). This has been getting better in recent years but the last thing you want is to be drunk and exhausted at the end of a show, unable to find your car because you accidentally went to the South Lot at Red Rocks and you were parked in the North lot (we still laugh at him).

Buying secondhand tickets for cheap could be its own article but here are the basics. Reputable sites like Cash or Trade (cashortrade.com) are great for buying from fans at face value. Your payments over the site are protected with Cash or Trade as a middleman if anything goes wrong.

If you must buy your tickets from some random dude on Reddit, ALWAYS use services like PayPal Goods and Services or Venmo “turn on for purchases”. These are the only services I will recommend as I have used both of them to get my money back from scammers multiple times.

Pro Tip: if you’re willing to wait until show day to grab tickets, resale prices will drop like crazy. Scalpers try to offload tickets and hardworking, regular people have day-of conflicts. Check Cash or Trade day-of for listings or browse the internet elsewhere. If you’re brave enough to wait outside the show with no tickets, you can almost always make some new friends and find extra tickets. Just use the above safe methods in case something goes wrong with the transaction.

  • Food and Drink
    Venue food is almost always overpriced, under-spiced, and potentially hazardous to your health (NEVER eat Island Noodles, just trust me on that one). There are exceptions to this rule but if you haven’t scoped it out beforehand, you’ll usually find yourself overpaying for shitty fried food or splitting a $30 small pizza with complete strangers in the rain in Columbus, OH (shoutout to those guys). Find a restaurant close to the venue or eat before you go: your wallet will thank you.

With Gizz’s ever-expanding venue list, there are some that will allow outside food or drink (especially the larger ones). Check KGLW.net for the latest tour guide and primer on venue policies.

Come to the show with a hydration plan: I know this sounds weird but it's hydrate or die-drate. More venues are allowing water bottles (sealed or empty and collapsible), so bring one, fill it inside, and chug. It’s hard to stay hydrated when you’re riding the front rail or don’t want to leave the pit, and it's dangerous to your health to rely on the venue passing out water.

If alcohol is your thing, pre-gaming is highly suggested (but don't go too hard). There is nothing that will weigh on your wallet faster than a highly acquired taste for $18 Bud Light Seltzers but one or two will keep you going. AND MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A DESIGNATED DRIVER.

How early should I arrive at the venue?

This is probably the question I see the most and likely the reason you’re reading this. This answer has such a wide range depending on venue, specific event, time of year, weather, your goal for the show, etc. that it’s almost impossible to get it right every time. But, I have found some guidelines have helped me at Gizz shows (and beyond). King Gizzard will typically have an opener. Generally, doors to the venue will open an hour before the opener goes on. Then, Gizz will go on 30-45 minutes after the opener finishes. Typically, that means something like doors at 7 PM, opener 8:00-8:45 PM, and Gizz goes on somewhere around 9:15 PM to play until 11 PM (or as late as the venue allows). Exact times will vary based on local curfews but this is the general pattern I have observed, and more specific timings are almost always available on the venue’s website or social media.

If you want a poster or limited merch, at least 1-2 hours before doors. If you want a foil poster, you’ll probably have to double that time for most venues as you’ll need to be one of the first people in the door. American fans have gone absolutely rabid for merch but foil posters are pretty pricey, so you generally have a chance if you arrive early enough.

This is the most variable time range on the list because it can really just come down to dumb luck (like merch arrival delays or printing delays) but in my limited experience, I have seen a pattern. The larger the venue, the more people show up; the more people show up, the more competitive the merch line. It's also of note that larger venues will split merch among multiple stands, hurting your chances if you get in line later (plus scalpers, cutters, generally terrible human beings consumed by capitalism, etc.).

I got in line one day at 11 AM for Red Rocks ’22 for a 7 PM start and did not get a foil poster; the regular posters sold out shortly after I got out of line. So, I don’t camp lines anymore unless I’m one of the first people there. Smaller venues have been easier to score at in my experience. I got in line 45 minutes before doors at Mr. Small’s ’22 (800 person venue) and readily got a poster. My experience was similar at the Caverns shows two years ago (1200 person venue). Just make sure you aren’t in line when the boys start playing. In 2024, regular posters and other pieces of limited merch were available regularly but randomly after the shows (no real pattern). Occasionally, you will see the previous show’s poster at the following show. If you REALLY want something, it’s best to commit to the merch line early but you may run into a bit of luck if you check after the music.

If you want the front rail: you’ll have to be one of the first people inside (in addition to having an iron bladder), so be prepared to arrive as early as possible (several hours before doors). A rail spot is usually a commitment to be in one place the entire show, as unless you have some great friends, you’re not getting that spot back once you leave. If you miss the initial rush for the rail, there is a small window of opportunity occasionally available after the opener finishes. Some people will leave for the bathroom, food, or drinks. If you are in the second row, you may be able to squeeze into a front rail spot but it’s unlikely (and be polite if you try). At rowdier shows with larger crowds, people may come off the rail for some relief mid-show but you’ll be throwing yourself right into the crushing machine they just left. Remember: you have a static metal object in front of you and many crazy Gizzheads behind you.

If you want a 'good' position in a general admission venue: literally anytime after doors. There really isn’t a bad space at most shows. The boys are LOUD, so you’ll be able to hear them pretty much anywhere. If you want a good view, you’ll need to work for a reasonable spot but the acoustics will generally be fine venue-wide. Posting up in a less dense, open space in the crowd generally gives you enough room to have a reasonable view and still have enough room to dance without hitting anyone.

If you want a good spot without fighting through people, I would get there for the opener or while the opener is playing (about an hour after doors). The worst time to find your position is while everyone is standing around waiting for King Gizzard to start playing. If you can cement yourself a good space early, people will fill in around you and you can generally keep your view. Otherwise, you just become the person trying to move through where people aren’t moving. Don’t push your way forward. If you want to get further up the front, the best way is via the side furthest from the main venue entrance; then, make your way across if the rows aren’t too dense. Once the music starts, the crowd becomes a fluid and you a drop of water. Flow around (not through) people and slip through open spaces, stopping when you encounter a tightly packed area. During the course of the show, people will move back once they have had enough dancing or moshing and this is your chance to flow again.

What do I need to bring to a show?

Depending on the venue (check their website!), my packing list does or does not include:

13” x 15” CLEAR vinyl drawstring bag (outdoor or larger venue). Passes almost all outdoor venue security policies, clear is very important if you don’t want to be hassled. Pro tip: these are very water resistant if you can make sure the top is sealed.

9” x 4” Fanny pack (indoor venue). For moshing or venues with power tripping security. Can sit against your stomach or under your shirt, incognito and hard to reach. Just big enough for phone, wallet, and accessories. My partner sewed me one, so I don’t have recs here.

Sit Pad (sitting room only). Foam or other foldable seat. Don’t bring a real chair unless the venue explicitly allows it. Great for venues with concrete benches or crappy chairs. Pro tip: fuck all of that plastic, buy recycled! I use the Nemo Chipper and love it.

Hat/Sunglasses/Sun protection (indoor/outdoor) For outdoor venues or if the indoor lights are too bright for your current state of mind. Protect all of your skin outdoors with sunscreen and coverings: you’ll thank me when we’re both listening to live Gizz in thirty years and we don’t have melanoma.

Garbage bags (outdoor venues only) Poncho in a pinch, collect people’s trash, cover merch that won't fit in your bag. What’s not to love?

Plastic Poster tube (if I plan to grab a poster) Keeps the clout chasers from fainting when bringing your poster into the pit. Makes for a great waterproof storage container if you have no other bag. Great for displaying stickers too (you’re going to get a lot of random stickers). Look for extendable “document tubes”.

Ear plugs (WEAR EAR PROTECTION AT EVERY VENUE) Pro tip: the little hairs in your ears don’t grow back. PROTECT YOUR EARS, THE BOYS ARE LOUD.

Suggestions at every budget level:

Cheap: Mack’s Acoustic earplugs. I used these for years, as regular earplugs tend to elevate the bass too much for me. Found at Target, Guitar Center, or the Mack’s website.

Mid: Eargasm High Fidelity Earplugs. This has become my back up pair I keep on my keychain for everything noisy (yard work, concerts, etc). Company website.

$$$: Custom molded earplugs. Talk to an audiologist in your area to create a custom mold of your ear (super comfy). Comes with changeable decibel level filters depending on the volume of music, and they let me get the glittery kind with my world class American Healthcare.

Collapsible water bottle (all venues) Pay the money for a reusable bottle now or pay $6 a can for Liquid Death at the venue. You’ve been warned. Pro tip: Fuck all of that plastic, reuse reuse reuse! I use a Platypus collapsible 1 L bag. Good venues will hand out water to those on the front rail. If you don't need it (you probably do), help pass it around.

Battery Bank and Charging Stuff You can’t call an Uber or reconnect with your friends after the show with a dead phone. Or if you know you don’t want to take any photos or recordings, consider turning it off to fully engage with the show. One less device on the network can help everybody else’s connectivity for locations that don’t often have large gatherings of people.

Snacks (venue dependent) You’d be surprised how many venues will let you bring in food (usually outdoors). Check policies online and follow them, or pay $18 for chicken tenders. They’ll be dry and they don’t come with fries.

Use some time to get the lay of the land before anything starts. Where are the bathrooms? Closest food/bar? Fun venue booths or activities? If you had any lingering anxiety (I sort by new on r/KGATLW, I know y’all are nervous wrecks), now is the time to have your questions answered before the show gets going. Outdoor venues/festivals can be huge: see my previous note about downloading a venue map. At a general admission show, find a spot to stand/sit once you have the lay of the land and a better understanding of the main areas at a show. Positioning during a show is very fluid but the major sections of a concert venue at a Gizz show (and many other shows) are generally as follows:

What should I wear?

Comfortable shoes are a priority: you will be on your feet a lot, and they will get stepped on if you are in the crowd. Closed toe athletics shoes are your friend. If you are with a group, it can be surprisingly easy to lose each other, so wear something brightly colored and recognizable on your upper body. Self expression at shows is lots of fun but do not wear large hats: people behind you will be much more upset at you obstructing their view than they will be pleased at how “cool” and “unique” you are. Dress for the weather as hypothermia at music events is more common than you think. Layering is your friend. Remember: you can always take a jacket/coat off and instead of having no way of getting warmer (aside from dancing).

What do I do once I’m in the venue?

Use some time to get the lay of the land before anything starts. Where are the bathrooms? Closest food/bar? Fun venue booths or activities? If you had any lingering anxiety (I sort by new on r/KGATLW, I know y’all are nervous wrecks), now is the time to have your questions answered before the show gets going. Outdoor venues/festivals can be huge: see my previous note about downloading a venue map. At a general admission show, find a spot to stand/sit once you have the lay of the land and a better understanding of the main areas at a show. Positioning during a show is very fluid but the major sections of a concert venue at a Gizz show (and many other shows) are generally as follows:
  • Mosh pit
    This will usually be centre stage, a venue dependent distance from the front. If you don’t want to mosh, don’t set up here. I will almost never start in the pit, regardless of show/artist/venue, as I like to gauge the general rowdiness first: I’m looking at you windmillers. If you do want to mosh, great. Please have an understanding of how to keep yourself and others safe before you enter. It is up to ALL OF US to ensure the safety of those around us and understand how to be degenerates but safely. Here are some guidelines I’ve found have helped me out at shows:

Safety is top priority in the mosh pit. Don’t do anything that your mother (or if it hits your conscience harder, Stu) wouldn’t want you doing to yourself, others, or property around you. *WHEN SOMEONE FALLS, WHAT DO YOU DO? PICK THEM UP. Being on the floor at a concert, in any standing room only location, can be the fastest way to leave the venue in pieces. Priority #1 is getting people up when they fall. It is a good idea to vocally make it known that someone is on the ground as even the people right in front of them aren't likely to realise. I don’t care if Cavs is in the middle of his solo. I don’t care if your deity of choice descends from the heavens to prove that God is in fact real. I don’t care if they’re playing Vegemite live and the pit is a roiling vortex: WHEN SOMEONE FALLS, WHAT DO YOU DO? PICK THEM UP.

Protect your face and head. Ramming into people at speed is almost always going to give you whiplash and result in limbs flying everywhere. Keep your head up with your arms at chest height. You can use this stance to push/bounce off people when in motion or deflect incoming bodies. Glance or roll off people (especially those smaller or larger than you) and don’t lead with your head or shoulders either, this isn’t American football.

You will get very hot, and therefore drenched in your own and others’ sweat. This and body odour are how you know you're having a good time. If juices are not your vibe, neither is a long-lived mosh.

Secret pro tip that isn't to be abused: it is never guaranteed you will exit the mosh in the same place you entered. This means the mosh could be your express ride several rows closer to the front. However, the ticket has a price: one healthy dose of mosh participation until everyone forgets where everyone else started.

Remembering a few things and being aware of yourself and others is the key to having a good time in the mosh pit. Moshing is about the collective energy of our community that we can let loose during shows, and that can manifest in dangerous ways if we let it. With this in mind, King Gizzard mosh pits don’t tend to get as extreme as say, some punk or metal subgenre shows do. Most people are there primarily to have fun, so if you pick the right song, it is generally a beginner-friendly environment. If you are going to mosh for the first time, make sure you stand to the side and observe for a bit before you dive in! If someone is particularly drunk, aggressive, grabby, whatever, this is never ok: get security. Certain demographics of fans are more vulnerable to, or even the targets of, anti-social behaviour; it is up to the more privileged of us to shape the attitude and behaviour at our shows, and that starts with holding each other accountable for our actions.

  • First few rows
    You’ll be right in the action as far as seeing the boys but the first few rows are a very dynamic spot. Gizz shows do get rowdy and while you might not be in the mosh pits if you’re in the first few rows, you’ll definitely feel the mosh pit indirectly as well as crowd push at certain shows/songs/venues. Generally, this is nothing to worry about but be ready to get pushed side to side, forward, and backward with the crowd. This is also where you will potentially have crowd surfers cruising over you. Be wary of this if you don't want to help hold them up.

If it's getting particularly pushy or the crowd starts to sway, as a smaller dude, I like to cross my arms over my chest, bend my knees, and go with the flow of the crowd (to an extent). Arms crossed over the chest allow your arms to expand forward and to the sides as necessary (elbows may be needed to teach some particularly pushy people a lesson) and not locking your knees is just a good life lesson. Don’t fight too hard against people pushing you but still try to stand your ground and definitely stay on your feet.

  • In front of the soundboard
    This place is awful, I wouldn’t bother trying to get a spot here as the sound is the worst in the venue. All the people who stand here are far too nice for their own good and smell distinctly of skunk. Best to just find another spot, because no one will take any steps to make room for you and this definitely isn’t a place to dance. I have braved the horrors of this location first hand many times for my dear readers, so you can be sure you don’t want to go through the same hellish experience. Give this area a wide berth if you know what’s good for you and be sure to leave the Mysterious creature they call “Jack” alone. (If it wasn’t obvious, that was all sarcasm)

  • Anywhere else in the venue
    Don’t let anyone fool you: there isn’t a 'best' place to enjoy a show. On the periphery of the packed crowd can be one of the best places to enjoy a show for the first time or the millionth time. If you like breathing room, being able to see the stage, and reasonable acoustics, post up along an edge of people. It's easy to dip in and out of the more packed crowd if you want to get closer and can still leave to go to the bathroom or grab another drink with ease. If you don’t like where you are (or a tall person stands in front of you), it's easier to relocate to somewhere you can enjoy yourself.

If the venue has a second floor, one of my favourite spots to hang out is on the rail upstairs if the upper level isn’t reserved seating. Great view of the stage and a full view of the crowd below are a cool bonus for hanging upstairs (acoustics can vary depending on venue).

What happens during a Gizz show?

In short, magic. At least that’s why I’ve seen them 21 times. A lot of people ask 'Will I hear this specific song?', 'Will they play heavy stuff?', 'When will they play this deep cut?', 'What do they even play?', and the answer to all of these questions is: it depends.

First, no two setlists from King Gizzard will ever truly be the same. The band will research what they played in the city on previous tours, and use a shared document to craft a setlist that ensures little to no repeats. Additionally, if you’re catching multiple shows close geographically, they have promised fans no repeat songs within a given state. With live updates and the most accurate, verified data, right here at KGLW.net is a great place to check what is likely to be played or what has already been played on tour.

To break it down numbers wise, in 2024 they played 135 unique songs from their discography (about XXX% depending on who you ask). 16 of those songs were played only once. From this group of ready songs, frontman Stu Mackenzie will construct the setlist close to show date following the guidelines above. Apart from the creative restrictions imposed by the band, there are general patterns that we the fans have picked up in their latest shows, as well as occasional ‘themed’ setlists (ie. acoustic) that are typically made known before the show. Setlists can range anywhere from legendary jam sessions at 11 songs a set to 18-20 songs a set depending on the mood and length of the evening (festivals sets are shorter but more intense and less jammy, so generally have 10-15 songs).

In their live performances from the last few years, we’ve seen elements from jam bands incorporated into live improv sessions on stage. King Gizzard will weave songs into one another, playing sections of songs (teases) in the middle of others before blasting back into the reprise of the first song. Even with dedicated “sections” in a given show, these jams blend genres wildly to produce entirely new compositions live on stage. If you try not to anticipate particular favourite songs too much, you will enjoy yourself better knowing what you did hear was almost always unique in some way.

As of the last US ‘24 tour, the general sections of a King Gizzard show are composed of some combination of the following:

  • Metal music
    With the recent release of PetroDragonic Apocalypse..., a prog-rock slanted metal album, Gizz are playing heavier than ever lately. Expect a selection of 2-7 metal songs at basically every show, played together or broken apart. This also includes the album Infest the Rats Nest and select metal songs from Omnium Gatherium and Gumboot Soup.

  • Microtonal music
    0-5 songs from Flying Microtonal Banana, Gumboot Soup, K.G., L.W., or if you're lucky, Sketches Of Brunswick East_. These will typically be picked and played together, as the band has to switch to their specially designed microtonal instruments. I have seen the microtonal section skipped multiple times on tour, so this is never a given.

  • Synth-based music
    Several genres Gizz plays requires the heavy user of synthesizers, or Nathan, as they’ve named their mobile electronic table. Typically the band will “switch” to this section to play the songs, as it requires a great deal of instrument setup and changing like the microtonal section. Look for songs from Fishing for Fishies, Omnium Gatherium, Changes, and others during this section.

  • Rock music The rest of the show will be filled in by rock music of various forms. Psych, blues, funk, garage, and jazz fusion are the main genres you can expect, but it's impossible for me to tell you what you’re going to get. What you can expect is a selection of songs of various length and “jaminess” from a multitude of their 15 remaining studio albums.

  • What not to expect Very little is off the table but there are a few things you are very unlikely to hear. Except for a very rare modern appearance after the death of Ambrose’s father Broderick Smith, material from Eyes Like the Sky is unlikely to emerge.. Made in Timeland continues to elude the live space completely except as intermission music. Other than that, you can find a list of unplayed live songs below. We expect them all to see the light of day eventually but it may take a very long time for those not in regular rotation.

  • 2.02 Killer Year
  • A Journey to (S)hell
  • ABABCD
  • Alluda Majaka
  • Barefoot Desert
  • Black Hot Soup
  • Blue Morpho
  • Bone
  • Butterfly 3000
  • Candles
  • Catching Smoke
  • Cold Cadaver
  • Cranes, Planes, Migraines
  • Dreams
  • Drum Run
  • Dusk to Dawn on Lygon Street
  • Dust In the Wind
  • Evilest Man
  • Exploding Suns
  • Fishing for Fishies (title track)
  • Flying Microtonal Banana
  • Fort Whipple
  • Garage Liddiard
  • Gliese 710
  • Guns & Horses
  • Hell’s Itch
  • Homeless Man in Adidas
  • I’m Sleepin’ In
  • Infinite Rise
  • Mycelium
  • N.G.R.I. (Bloodstain)
  • Nein
  • No Body
  • Oddments (title track)
  • Paper Mâché
  • Phantom Island
  • Searching…
  • Short Change
  • Sketches of Brunswick East I, II, and III
  • Smoke & Mirrors
  • Superposition
  • The Acrid Corpse
  • The Floating Fire
  • The Funeral
  • The God Man’s Goat Lust
  • The Land Before Timeland
  • The Last Oasis
  • The Spider and Me
  • Time = Fate
  • Timeland
  • Ya Love
  • Yours
  • Song Specifics Some songs may be a few minutes each, like the tight and fast 'Mind Fuzz Suite' comprised of four songs off I’m In Your Mind Fuzz, or selections of narrative album Murder of the Universe. Others might be extended jam sessions, like psychedelic Head On/Pill that has been known to push 30 minutes. Still others are adapted into entirely new genres, like this tour’s electric Sense off of acoustic favourite Paper Mâché Dream Balloon. It’s truly a grab bag whenever you go and one of the main reasons to keep coming back.

Obviously as discussed there will be a mosh pit. People will be dancing, pushing, running, yelling, cheering, and many more things that continue to surprise me after so many shows. In addition to general shenanigans, one can expect to see certain 'memes' or recurring bits during a King Gizzard show. Some include:

  • Rowing on The River
    One of King Gizzard’s most played live songs, The River and other songs (particularly water themed ones such as The Dripping Tap can sometimes feature people sitting down in or around the pit and rowing a boat together. This has been happening probably since the song debuted. I’ve also seen people riding inflatable rafts through the crowd, but that dude was just a solo act.

  • Nuclear Fusion Intro
    At the beginning of Nuclear Fusion, Joey Walker will select a member of the band, crew, or audience to take over his throat singing. Whomever is selected is pulled centre stage, given a mic, and takes their best chance at sustaining the notes in the intro. This is not for the faint of heart, that intro is TOUGH.

  • Ambrose Roaming the Venue
    If you see Ambrose away from his keyboard with just a solitary mic, be prepared for a visit from our favorite Australian crowd goblin.

  • Michael ‘Cavs’ Cavanagh Drum Solo
    Cavs’ work on the tubs is a highlight of any Gizzard show. Look for these during one specific song on the tour and a rare treat every few shows. The most featured songs for solos are Self-Immolate, Gaia and recently Astroturf, but occasionally a drum solo may appear on its own between other songs.

You can also expect certain themed shows as a little treat randomly thrown in on tour. They will be announced beforehand, so pick your tickets wisely (by wisely, I mean attend them all).

Acoustic show: chilled out vibes and a softer experience. They will still play metal, synth music, and microtonal music but it will all be acoustically based. This isn’t for everyone but you will typically see the boys let loose as they consider acoustic shows an “easy” night. You’ll get more banter, more deep cuts, and generally a more intimate experience even as they explode in venue size.

Marathon shows: regular show times are pushing 2 hours these days, but as the name implies, these are extra long shows for your listening pleasure. These started out as two 90-minute sets with an intermission in the middle (Red Rocks ‘22) but have recently morphed into a 3-hour long non-stop onslaught of music. They will generally stick to the sections listed previously although you’re more likely to get a bit of everything with the extended play time.

Orchestra Shows: new (and perhaps exclusive) to 2025, we all aren’t quite sure what to expect.

What happens at the end of a Gizz show?

A typical headlining show will last anywhere from an hour and a half to pushing two hours and fifteen minutes. In the 21 shows I’ve been to and all the recordings I’ve listened to, I have never known King Gizzard to perform an encore. They haven’t played an encore in a long time, and only used to very rarely on special occasions. In their case, the show is the show; once their music ends, you’re in the clear to leave. Take your trash with you and make sure to take a quick look around to see if you dropped anything. People will slowly file out, there will be lines and traffic and it will take anywhere from 5-20 minutes to get out of an indoor venue (plus any associated traffic) to 30+ minutes to leave a large outdoor venue or festival (can be closer to an hour). Embrace the wait! My buddies and I keep drinks, snacks, and a Bluetooth speaker back at the car to have a mini tailgate while everyone else piles out. Venue staff and local police are often motivated to get people out quickly, but also realize not everyone can contribute to the gridlock: just listen when they tell you to disperse. If you want to meet the band to say hi or get things signed, I’ve never done it, but I hear the boys are good about it. You’ll need the inside scoop on where the band leaves the venue (or just find where everyone else is congregating and ask). I’ve heard to expect a long wait outside the venue (sometimes 2-3 hours after the show ends) and it's not a guarantee. Don’t be creepy or pushy, and be prepared to wait and still not get to meet them.

What do I do now?!?

Congratulations, you made it through your first King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard show alive! I knew you could do it. Hopefully you had a great time and heard that song you’d been chasing. If the bug bit you and you’re already planning for your next show, King Gizzard tours relentlessly and 1-2 tours in a given year for the US isn’t uncommon. Check out the forum or setlist reviews (and write one!) here on KGLW.net, to get engaged with what to listen to or watch next, and make sure we didn’t miss any special details about your show by participating in the discussion. The King Gizzard subreddit is also a great resource to get connected, meet the community, and find new ways to obsess over Gizz.
Welcome to the Weirdo Swarm, and I’ll see you at the next show!

posted by W.B.T.G. Slinger in the General category on 2025-05-06
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