King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard are eclectic, to say the least. Much of their discography already toys with microtonal tunings, jazz fusion and even forays into contemporary classical stylings. That’s precisely why the Phantom Island tour – in performance with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and conductor Chad Kelly – feels like the perfect next step, adding new depth and a new lens to their psych-rock identity.

From the very first note, the audience is hooked. The opening half centres on the band’s new album, Phantom Island, composed in collaboration with Kelly, who also conducts the orchestra. The project aimed to push the orchestral sections forward, building a vast, immersive wall of sound. Yet, despite this intention, the fuzzy guitar effects and driving drum kit often overwhelm the ensemble, leaving the orchestra most audible only in the brief interludes between songs. In those moments, their sustained drone notes reveal how much depth they add – a fullness that becomes even clearer after the interval, when the orchestra steps offstage and the band is left to jam and improvise alone.