Skegss Brings the Sun and Surf Rock to the West Coast
portland, oregon - march 4th, 2025
Australian surf-punk royalty Skegss made their way to the States for a 23-stop U.S. tour. The duo, Ben Reed (vocals, guitar, bass) and Jonny Lani (drums), are originally from Byron Bay, New South Wales. The group was formed a decade ago with former guitarist Noa Deane, who left in 2015 to pursue a surfing career, and bassist Toby Cregan, who departed in 2023. From playing at Coachella in 2022 and having the ARIA Music Awards’ number one album, Skegss have solidified themselves as a force to be reckoned with. Skegss’s ability to blend sounds of surf rock, garage, and punk has set them apart for years, shaping their distinct sound. Following the release of their third studio album last year, they're entering a new era.
Photo by Lia Hansen via Instagram.
Walking into the venue on a cold Tuesday evening, fans were ready to hear some Aussie surf rock and be transported to warm, sunny days. Revolution Hall in Portland is a spacious venue, allowing ample room for the crowd to mosh and dance, setting the stage for a rowdy night. I was supposed to see Skegss play there in February 2023, but their show was canceled at the last minute due to a Pacific Northwest winter storm. Two years later, with no snow in sight, I was stoked to finally catch the Aussie band live.
9:15 hit, and “Escape (The Piña Colada Song)” blasted through the speakers. I have to say that they picked maybe the best walk-out song I’ve ever seen. “Hey, Portland, how yas doing?” Kelton Lee (playing bass with Skegss on their tour) called out as the band launched into “Valhalla.” I immediately thought about how lead singer Ben sounds exactly the same live as the original recording. Kelton takes a sip of his water and, right before “Got On My Skateboard,” does a spit take into the crowd. Fans sing along and scream the last verse, “I guess I'm not getting any younger, younger / Young once then you're old forever.” Without missing a beat, Skegss went right into “High Beaming.” Off their latest album, Pacific Coast Highway, the track features richer vocals and a dynamic drumline. While Skegss built their reputation on high-energy surf rock, their new work is much more introspective lyrically. “High Beaming” is about having supportive people around when life is hard: “I love the way your positivity shines / Putting my wild mind at ease.”
The well-known riff of “Under the Thunder” started, and the crowd erupted. The chorus, “Well under the thunder / There’s no hiding from the lightning / Well this world makes me wonder / Yeah it all seems so exciting,” perfectly embodies the essence of free will. Next up was another new track, “Out of My Head,” before Skegss threw it back to their debut album with “Slayer.” Asking the crowd to open the pit before, this song got the place moving with its punk feel and punchy drums. The band continued with another track off their newest album, “Down to Ride.” Kelton played a cool bass intro, channeling a road-trip feel. In an interview with Amnplify, Ben said “With this album I tried to be as honest as possible, but I also wanted to create the kind of songs that give you that same feeling—songs where you can shut your eyes, let your imagination take over, and drift off into another world that exists only in your mind.” The new album feels more real, with lived experiences and fuller melodies.
Photo by Lia Hansen via Instagram.
My 10th most played song on Spotify last year was up next, the song I was waiting for. The moment I heard the isolated guitar riff of “Spring Has Sprung,” it felt like pure sunshine. The intro perfectly sets the tone of the song and completely embodies spring. The entire venue was moving, dancing, and singing along: “I found a feeling that feels too real / Nobody knows just how good I feel / I took a pill now I can't stay still / But I'm too fucked up for romance.” While there was still 15 days until it’s officially spring, according to Skegss, spring has sprung!
They kept the momentum going with “Running From Nothing” before Ben turned to the crowd and said, “We’re all from the same hometown…paradise.” The crowd caught on, and seconds later, the opening chords of “Paradise” began. Next up were “Mustang” and “Margarita.” I’m pretty sure the guys mentioned “Margarita” not being on the setlist, but with their thick Aussie accents, I could only catch one word in a sentence. There was definitely a language barrier. But, alas, I will consider Portland special for hearing it.
Just 15 minutes before the band took the stage, the new single “So Excited” was released. With the classic Skegss guitar riff matched with the breezy lyrics, fans loved it. The single was accompanied by a music video featuring bright colors, the beach, and can-can dancers; what’s not to love?
Following that was “L.S.D,” their first song released back in 2014. Beginning to close in on their set, Kelton told the crowd, “If you haven’t been dancing, now’s probably the time.” I went up to the balcony to watch the rest of their set, and being able to watch the crowd from above and see facial expressions was special. The band had great interactions with the audience, and it continued for “Infinity” and “Save It For The Weekend.”
One of Skegss’ most well-known tracks, “Up In The Clouds,” followed. It begins with a slow, reflective opening, “I might not ever work things out / I might live my whole life not knowing how / I've survived up until now.” The song builds momentum, becoming more upbeat to maintain the band’s signature high-energy feel while representing their ability to balance thoughtful lyrics with an upbeat performance. Skegss said the song was about realizing “some things will always be left uncertain.” Last up was “Stranger Days,” with a twangy guitar riff and lyrics perfect for the closer. The audience all screamed together, “And may your dreams never die.”
The band was ready to step off the stage, but the crowd was not quieting down. All of Revolution Hall is yelling, “One more song! One more song.” And for the first time, I witnessed a band get convinced into doing an actual encore. Ben and Kelton looked at each other and decided to keep going. “I haven’t played this since we recorded it, so be easy on me,” Kelton tells the crowd. The boys begin singing an unreleased song with lyrics, “In the state of Hawaii.” The last song of the night was “Stranger.” The more relaxed, stripped-back song was perfect for the pair to play without Jonny on the drums. The performance was an intimate exchange with the crowd and wrapped up the show with a very special note. The crowd sang the chorus together: “I remember saying, to myself / That I would always smile / No matter what my state is / No matter what the day is like.”
If you are in need of a serotonin boost, Skegss is your go-to. For being an upbeat surf-punk band, they created an intimate atmosphere with the fans and gave Portland a cherished show. The Aussies put on an electric show. Catch them on the remainder of their tour, and listen to their new album out now.
