Live Review: King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard at Forest Hills Stadium

On August 20, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard performed at Forest Hills Stadium as part of their 2026 USA tour. Kicking off a three-night run at the historic Queens concert venue, the thrash metal/psychedelic rock group from Australia took the stage at 8 pm after extensive weather delays, including a 45-minute evacuation from the floor due to potential lightning and flooding. Their openers, Die Spitz and DJ Crenshaw, did not perform as a result of the delay. The six-piece from Melbourne came on stage full of energy and opened with “Extinction” from their 2023 LP “The Silver Cord.” A massive screen on stage displayed digital glitch art overlays throughout the night, mixed with red distortion. The creative visuals matched their electronic live sound, which had people dancing and crowd surfing throughout the entire night. King Gizzard has been actively touring for over 16 years and just released their latest LP “Alien Metal,” marking their 28th album release. 

Heavy rain occurred during most of the show, which didn’t faze the crowd or lower their energy level. Lead singer Stu Mackenzie briefly acknowledged the weather situation on stage and remained at his mic stand for a majority of the 17-song set, staying in sync with his bandmates as they seamlessly transitioned from one song to the next. The rain kept people off their phones and in the moment of the show. People accepted that they would be soaked, ignored it as best they could, and enjoyed the show. While King Gizzard does not brand themselves as a Jam band, their stage presence and chemistry mimic the acts that can sustain long guitar solos and stretches of improvisational playing, such as the newer era of jazz/fusion and garage rock-influenced touring bands. 

Lead guitarist Joey Walker and multi-instrumentalist Cook Craig joined Stu Mackenzie’s guitar playing to create triple-layered guitar solos and synth beats that built up each song, turning the 17-song set into one long song with minimal breaks. This sustained engagement for their eager fans during a downpour. King Gizzard provides a space for people to rave, crowd surf, and let loose at their shows. Bringing a different setlist every night, the band makes every show unique. Their live show presents a combination of newer songs, such as the six-minute, drum-infused “Converge,” and older tracks dating back to 2014, such as “I’m In Your Mind,” showcasing their deep catalog of 28 albums. 

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard represent a newer era of thrash metal music that pulls in dedicated fans of psychedelic rock who show up in a downpour to rave, crowd surf, and let loose on their 2026 USA Tour. 

Setlist

1. Extinction 
2. Converge
3. Witchcraft
4. Inner Cell
5. Loyalty
6. Horology
7. Evil Death Roll
8. Theia
9. The Lord Of Lightning 
10. I’m In Your Mind
11. I’m Not In Your Mind
12. Cellophane
13. I’m In Your Mind Fuzz
14. The Balrog
15. Straws In The Wind
16. Open Water
17. Float Along – Fill Your Lungs