RedHook at The Exchange, Bristol – A Genre-Bending, Sweat-Drenched Triumph
Since first emerging from Sydney’s fertile underground scene in 2017, RedHook have steadily built a reputation as one of Australia’s most uncompromising and innovative alternative acts. With an arsenal of blistering genre mash-ups and a live presence to match, the quartet—fronted by the magnetic Emmy Mack and backed by guitarist Craig Wilkinson, drummer Alex Powys, and bassist Ned Jankovic—have proven themselves a formidable force both on record and on stage.
Following the success of their debut EP Bad Decisions (2021) and the critically acclaimed full-length Postcard from a Living Hell (2023), RedHook’s sophomore album Mutation, released in late 2024, marked a bold leap forward. Blending alt-pop, post-hardcore, hip-hop, and punk, it reaffirmed the band’s status as fearless sonic shapeshifters, earning them both a devoted international following and widespread industry recognition.
Now on their debut UK and European headline run in support of Mutation, RedHook’s final UK date at The Exchange in Bristol served as a fitting climax to a sold-out leg—an explosive, high-energy showcase of everything that makes the band such a compelling live act.
Long before doors opened, anticipation was palpable, with fans snaking around the block to secure a prime spot. Once inside, the energy was electric. As the lights dimmed and the silhouettes of Wilkinson, Powys, and Jankovic appeared, the crowd roared—only to erupt moments later as Emmy Mack bounded onstage, launching into opener “Bomb.com.” From the outset, the atmosphere was feverish.
Mack, ever the consummate frontwoman, wasted no time connecting with the audience, dropping to eye level with the front row and whipping the crowd into an early frenzy. The set’s opening salvo—“Dr. Frankenstein” and “Hot Tub,” both lifted from Mutation—ignited mosh pits and raised the temperature inside the venue to near-tropical levels.
True to form, RedHook’s set was rich in theatricality and pop culture references. A standout moment came during “Pyromaniac,” when Mack took to the stage clad in an orange boiler suit and sock puppet, mirroring the visuals from the song’s video. It was the first of several subtle Easter eggs throughout the night—a reminder of the band’s playful yet thoughtful aesthetic.
Unlike many touring acts who rely heavily on new material, RedHook crafted a setlist that celebrated every chapter of their discography. Fan favourites from Postcard from a Living Hell and Bad Decisions were seamlessly woven between the newer tracks. The back-to-back chaos of “Off With Your Head” and “Low Budget Horror” nearly blew the roof off The Exchange, as the dancefloor transformed into a seething, sweat-drenched battlefield.
But for all the chaos, there was also a deep sense of community. Midway through the set, Mack invited four fans from the front row onstage to sing along to “SoJu,” while Wilkinson delivered a spontaneous sax-led rendition of George Michael’s “Careless Whisper” that had the entire room singing in unison.
Moments like these elevated the show beyond a standard rock gig. At times, it felt more like an unhinged summer house party—albeit one hosted by a band with world-class chops and a flair for spectacle. By the time they reached “Dead Walk,” complete with another costume change, the show had taken on an almost theatrical arc, building toward a euphoric finale.
That came in the form of “Bad Decisions,” which saw the entire touring entourage join the band onstage. Inflatable toys were hurled into the audience, Mack initiated a “wall of love” rather than a wall of death, and crowd-surfing ensued as she was lifted above the sea of fans like a conquering hero. It was joyful, chaotic, and oddly moving.
Touring far from home is never easy, but RedHook have made it look effortless. Their Bristol send-off wasn’t just the end of their UK tour—it was a celebration of everything they’ve built so far, and a fierce declaration of what’s still to come. Europe, you’ve been warned.
@thebristolnomad / @bristolnomad_gigphotography
Role: Photographer / Reviewer / Interviewer
Chief, the one that bugs the team for team for their reviews and images. Creator and founder of The Bristol Gig Guide. Can usually be found swamped in admin or getting cramp kneeling at the front of a gig.
Available for: Gig Shoots, Gig Reviews, Photo Shoots, Album and Single cover shoots, Videography work, Interviews and Touring
First attended gig: Republica, circa 1996.
First gig shot: Hands Off Gretel, at The Louisiana!
Dream gig: Huge metalhead and my ultimate dream gig would be shooting my heroes Slipknot at a huge stadium gig, or as festival headliners. And to experience shooting a headline tour outside the UK
