There’s K-Pop, K-Hip-Hop and K-R&B, but K-Rock isn’t something that South Korea is actually known for. However, Korean rock group Rolling Quartz are actively changing this.
This September, Rolling Quartz visited Australia for the very first time for their two-city 2024 Stand Up Australia Tour, proudly presented by BoxLive. The all-female, feisty, fierce, and super talented rock band are changing the game, while also making a name for themselves internationally.
Consisting of bassist Arem, lead guitarist Iree, drummer Yeongeun, lead vocalist Jayoung, and rhythm guitarist Hyunjung, Rolling Quartz initially impressed a lucky few VIP patrons during their soundcheck, before collectively wowing their full Melbourne audience at Crown Therapy on Friday the 6th of September, their first ever concert in Australia.
The Melbourne crowd was a diverse range of ages, involving a cool mix of rock music fans, K-Pop fans, and Korean patrons. I found this delightfully surprising. Prior to the main event, fans with snapshot and hi-touch access got to meet and greet each member, and Rolling Quartz were all so kind, friendly, and lovely to everyone in the room. There was even a sweet and special moment that I unintentionally caught between a fan and the band, who were excited to discover that their fan had in her own rock band too, excitedly sharing her photos, to which Rolling Quartz were equally excited to see.
When it finally came time for the main event, I was excited. Opening with their original song ‘Higher’, Rolling Quartz commanded the Crown Therapy venue and the atmosphere was electric. Debut song ‘Blaze’, ‘Fearless’, as well newer releases ‘Stand Up’ and ‘Victory’ were crowd favourites, while songs ‘ONE’ and ‘NAZABABARA’ were fun and up-beat tunes that were so much fun to jump around and dance along to. Often throughout the night, the Melbourne crowd were encouraged to chant, cheer, pump their firsts into the air and sing along, especially to ‘Holler’ and ‘Sing Your Heart Out’.
When the band weren’t performing their original work, they were playing covers that they artfully made their own. The covers consisted of a heavier version of Lady Gaga’s ‘Bad Romance’ complete with a higher key, Dreamcatcher’s ‘Good Night’ which I dare say is the superior version of the song, a mash-up of Blackpink’s ‘Pink Venom’ and BTS’ ‘Mic Drop’ which was affectionately called ‘PINK DROP’, and Nickleback’s ‘Burn It To The Ground’. Especially showcased for the Aussie tour, Rolling Quartz surprised their fans with a gift, a cover of Australian rock band AC/DC’s ‘Highway To Hell’ which was a hit with the Melbourne audience.
It was also very entertaining watching the crowd bounce up and down to the covers that were played, and from the reception of the room, you could tell which half were the rock fans and which were the K-Pop fans, all by the way they collectively responded.
I, however, am both. I love both rock music and K-Pop, so every song that Rolling Quartz performed at their Melbourne concert was a treat. From their original songs, my favourites were ‘Blaze’ and ‘Rock’n’roll Paradise’, and I actually regret not filming ‘Blaze’! With their covers, the rock band did perform the already mentioned and praised, Dreamcatcher’s ‘Good Night’. Although, I was a little upset that Rolling Quartz didn’t perform their energetic and funky cover of CNBLUE’s ‘I’m A Loner’. This was all forgiven, however, when Rolling Quartz dished out an phenomenal cover of My Chemical Romance’s ‘Helena’. I love My Chemical Romance and was so elated upon hearing Rolling Quartz’s epic cover, to the point that I swear that I was elevating.
Rolling Quartz, each with their talents, took turns to share the limelight, with Arem, Iree and Hyunjung wowing fans with their crazily impressive and jaw-dropping guitar solos, Yeongeun skilfully conjuring thunder with her signature drum solo, and lead singer Jayoung with her powerful vocals reaching great heights, cutting through the air, and soaring through each and every single song. But what makes Rolling Quartz so powerful and enthralling is that they combined their talents and powers to shine much brighter and stronger together.
Time flies when you’re having fun and before I knew it, the concert was over. I was sad about it but also so very grateful and moved that Rolling Quartz came to Australia and performed their first ever Australian show in my city. Rolling Quartz’s concert was seamless, stunning, and sensational from start to finish. I honestly would see them again, and would travel to see them in future, in a heartbeat.
Honestly, more people need to pay attention to this wonderous Korean rock band who are as beautiful as they are talented, to the point where it should be criminal.
Thank-you for coming to Australia, Rolling Quartz! Hopefully someone smart books you for a rock music festival, and that you come back sooner than later.
Rolling Quartz toured Australia as part of their 2024 Stand Up Australia Tour, proudly presented by BoxLive, and performed on Friday the 6th of September at Crown Therapy in Melbourne. The tour then concluded in Sydney on Sunday the 8th of September at Oxford Art Factory.
For more information, visit:
https://www.rollingquartz.live
https://the-boxlive.com.au/events/f/rolling-quartz-%E2%80%9Cstand-up-australia-tour-2024%E2%80%9D
https://www.instagram.com/rolling_quartz
https://www.instagram.com/boxliveau
https://www.instagram.com/arem_k
https://www.instagram.com/iree_rq
https://www.instagram.com/drummer_ye
https://www.instagram.com/jayoung__v
https://www.instagram.com/choihj0_0
Photography by Grant Alexander.