It’s difficult not to think about legendary bands from San Francisco or Burlington, Vermont when confronting the phenomenon of Australia’s King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard. It’s blossoming success from an ultra-prolific band — 26 studio albums, 16 live releases, three compilations, one remix album, three EPs and 59 singles — has resulted in a passionate group of fans who purchase loads of merch, absorb the group’s latest recorded output and travel in order to attend multiple concerts. Sound familiar?

The weirdo swarm — the band’s term — has grown with each successive show in Cleveland. Starting off at the 180-capacity Happy Dog neighborhood bar 10 years ago, which received a shout out from vocalist/guitarist Joey Walker at the end of the night, King Gizz has steadily played larger venues.

On Saturday night, it filled the 5,000 capacity Jacobs Pavilion in the Flats entertainment area right along the Cuyahoga River. The night started off with “Magma” and “Muddy Water,” as well as featured “Raw Feel” and “Le Risque” from the band’s August release, “Flight b741.” As the members joyfully waded through their two-hour, 18-song setlist, the material moved from chilled out funky grooves to pysch rock, stoner rock, early ’70s rock and time signature influences ranging from Tool (“Inner Cell”> “Loyalty”> “Horology”), the Middle East and Africa on immeasurably catchy and complex tunes.

The intensity amplified over the last half of the evening into a mini-set of thrash metal wonders that featured “Predator X,” “Self-Immolate,” which highlighted drummer Michael Cavanagh who wore a Cleveland Cavaliers basketball jersey, through “Dragon” and the final number, “Gila Monster.” The thrill of it all only made for the wanting of more. Consider this another member of the weirdo swarm. 

8/24/24 Jacobs Pavilion Cleveland, Ohio:
1. Magma
2. Muddy Water (with “The Bitter Boogie” drum beat)
3. Antarctica
4. Raw Feel
5. Daily Blues
6. Mr. Beat
7. Ice V (with Joey scat vocal)
8. Le Risque
9. Inner Cell
10. Loyalty
11. Horology
12. Superbug
13. Supercell
14. Predator X 
15. Self-Immolate
16. Flamethrower
17. Dragon
18. Gila Monster