Gig Review: Live Fast, Die Young Presents @ Space Academy, Christchurch – 27/02/2026

Space Academy was the spot for a proper ripper of a night courtesy of Live Fast, Die Young Presents. The all-ages gig pulled in a solid, buzzing crowd of locals young and old keen to support some fresh and familiar faces from the Ōtautahi scene. From the jump the energy felt right!

It had that classic 03 vibe where everyone’s there for the music, the mosh, and a good time.

Kicking things off was Antibody playing their debut show, and what a way to start the night. With a mixed age group in the band, they mixed a few of their originals with a solid stack of covers. A highlight for me was them covering System Of A Down and absolutely acing it, hyping the crowd up and getting everyone moving.

Standout for me personally was the drummer who hit the kit like it owed lunch money. Someone needs to get that drummer a china cymbal stat. The tone on the electric guitar was to die for as well. You could tell they were a bit nervous as it was their first show but they handled it well and kept pushing on. When the vocalist would really get into it and belt it into the mic the whole thing came alive. The bass was consistent and so tight in every song.

There is something special about this band and I hope to see them evolve and make more originals. They are one to watch and see grow from strength-to-strength.

The crowd cheered EGT loudly as Evergreen Terrace (now going by the name Homesickk) took the stage, and with the charisma of this band especially vocalist Grace and guitarist Kash, you would think this was the headliner for the night. You could tell they had a lot of friends and fans alike in the crowd. The stage presence of each member was impressive and their drummer is insanely talented.

Since this show, Evergreen Terrace have changed their name to Homesickk and I think that is a more fitting and unique name. Kash broke a string in the first song but didn’t let it stop the show. He played it hard all the way through to the end and Grace on vocals had the crowd moving, grooving and hollering. He quickly appeared with another guitar and it went off.

Their bass player Luci held down the low end so well and looked cool as hell while doing it. The crowd were singing lyrics back in a few songs and they also did not stop moshing.

Homesickk are a big band in the making and maybe they already are.

Then it was time for the headliners Only You. Leading up to this show in the smallness of the 03 or maybe being in the right place at the right time and also having my own band…me and the Only You crew crossed paths and I will forever be grateful for that. Not only are they dope musicians but also even cooler humans.

After meeting and leading up to this show I listened to as much of their music as possible available on streaming platforms and I loved every moment of it. After seeing shows previously played and what these guys had been doing for a hot minute and creating again in the 03. Rad all ages shows to dope R18 sets.

My biggest regret was not knowing about Only You sooner. They had a dope intro, they were a great mix of fun and serious all while engaging with each other and the crowd. Birdie is a force to be reckoned with on vocals and the backing of Charlie’s vocals on guitar and Dom’s on bass just added extra flavour and grit.

They announced that the second-to-last song would be the last time they are playing it and brought Luci (bass) from Homesickk up to do vocals with Birdie for it and the duo together was so sick to see.

The crowd moshed and moved hard, and most importantly, it was a sold-out show and it was obvious to me why it was.

As someone who has been in the local metal/punk scene since I was 13 and now pushing 32, and pre-earthquake growing up with full all ages venues, Only You, Homesickk and Antibody on their debut made the 03 proud. I was honoured to be there.

Final Verdict: 10/10

A bloody unreal night at Space Academy. All three acts brought it in their own way and the crowd was up for it the whole way through. This is exactly why you get along to these local gigs. Real and raw passion, great energy and dope musicians.

The future of the Christchurch scene looks strong. If you missed this one, you missed out.