Artefacts

King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard 
2nd October 2019
O2 Academy Leeds
Artwork by Jason Galea

Rats & Gators was from King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard’s (the Aussie psychedelic rock gods) second visit to Leeds for their Infest the Rats Nest/Fishing for Fishies European Tour. This was a run of 200 prints by a regular artist for the band, Jason Galea. Featuring tones of blue and grey, Rats & Gators depicts a wild looking boardgame, with multifaced die and reptilian playing pieces. This is one of the more simplistic designs in the band’s poster archives but, as the band rarely come to this neck of the woods, it holds a special status in my poster collection.   

For each show they do, KGLW will work with an artist to prepare a truly unique poster to mark the occasion. In recent years, the demand for the band’s posters has become at fever pitch with lines of fans forming hours before doors and swarms mobbing around merch stands to grab a piece of original KGLW Art. I recall having no such issue in obtaining this print at the end of the show and it has hung proudly on my wall ever since. 

Words by J. Konopinski.