Skegss Brings Their Sunshiney Sound to a Soldout Crowd in Brooklyn
Australian surf rock favorites Skegss brought their sun-soaked sound to a sold-out crowd at the Warsaw in Brooklyn on March 21st, and the energy in the room was nothing short of electric.
The last time I saw Skegss was in 2022 at Mississippi Studios in Portland, playing to maybe thirty people. That show and this one couldn’t have been more different. I’ve been a fan since high school, and watching their evolution has been exciting, especially since their rise feels organic, not the result of a viral TikTok moment or a push for mainstream appeal. They’ve grown within their niche, staying true to their sound, and this show proved they’ve built something real. With Warsaw’s capacity at around 1,100, I’m pretty sure they hit the limit.
I started the night in the photo pit, as the band launched into their opening songs. From the first line, the crowd was all in, moshing and constantly sending waves of crowd surfers overhead. At any given moment, at least four bodies were off the ground. No arms crossed, too cool to care indie kids. Just real fans, singing every word, feeding off the band’s relentless energy. It reminded me of West Coast shows, where the enthusiasm feels unfiltered and genuine. It was refreshing.
After shooting our allotted three songs, my friend and fellow photographer Mary and I joined the crowd, only to be immediately swallowed by the pit. Within minutes, I was drenched in sweat, ears ringing, and moving with the flow of the crowd. It felt like 18 year old me had reawakened, the version that thought these Aussie guys were the coolest. Honestly? They still are.
The biggest change for Skegss was the addition of their new bassist, Kelton Lee. He brings a different energy, bolder and more performative than former bassist Toby Cregan. Skegss has always had a homegrown feel, and Kelton’s presence marks a move away from that. Not necessarily in a bad way. His stage presence is undeniable, and it makes sense for the band’s growing scale. It’s just different. Much more intentional. It’s not quite the laid-back energy Toby brought, but somehow, Skegss has managed to evolve without falling into the overproduced, try-hard trap it seems so many bands do these days.
Overall, Skegss delivered. Their music feels like summer and every song is as good as the last. If you get the chance to see them live, take it. It’s a guaranteed good time.
