Life’s A Beach | Riviera Beach Club Melbourne | February 14th
Valentine’s Day 2026 and Melbourne got spoiled, properly. Polaris’ Life’s A Beach took over St Kilda and from the minute we walked in, you could tell it wasn’t going to be just another gig.
I’m not even sure where to start because it was one of those days that hit you in layers, but alright, start from the beginning.
Normally I’m on photo duties, parked up the front, eyes locked on the stage and thinking in timing more than anything else. This time I wanted to actually be in it. Blend in, move with the crowd, feel the whole thing without a camera in my hands or a checklist in my head. That’s why I’m writing this review instead.
Entry was easy, the vibe was already high, and the weather was basically showing off. It was sitting around 25 degrees with a bright sky, that kind of warmth that made everyone lighter. And because it was St Kilda, the beach was right there in the air. Salt, sunscreen, that lingering summer smell, like the whole place was leaning into the theme before a band even hit the stage.
Even the wristbands were a moment on their own. None of that flimsy plastic that got sweaty, crumpled, and binned by the end of the day, or shoved in a drawer if you’re the sentimental type. These ones actually felt built to last. Proper durable fabric, sitting comfortably on your wrist, with Life’s A Beach stamped on the side alongside Fireball Cinnamon Whisky. It sounded like a small detail, but it set the tone straight away. This wasn’t a chuck it on and forget it kind of day, it felt like something you were meant to take home with you. And yeah, mine’s getting kept for a long time.
Now into the bands.
HEAVENSGATE // Photo Credit: Rena Tan
Headwreck are carving their own lane, and they’re doing it with this perfect mix of chaos and confidence. There’s a real attitude to them, but not in a forced way. More like they just refuse to take themselves too seriously, and that’s exactly what makes it work. They do their own thing, they look like they’re having the best time doing it, and you can’t help but be drawn to their personality both as individuals, and as a band.
I swear I saw more Headwreck jerseys than I could count. At one point I lost my mate in the crowd, he was wearing one, and it turned into a full-on Where’s Wally situation because he was basically camouflaged. I couldn’t even blame anyone though. Their merch was genuinely iconic, every piece looked like something you’d wear even when you were nowhere near a show. If you hadn’t checked out their store, I was begging you to. You wouldn’t have been disappointed.
Reliqa were a band I’d seen before, and like every other time, they still didn’t miss. They drew the crowd in straight away. Monique’s vocals were unreal live, she hit her notes clean and owned the stage without even trying. The centre of the crowd got involved too, wall of deaths, circle pits, people just dancing along. The energy stayed high from start to finish, and it was always a pleasure watching them play.
Caskets // Photo Credit: Rena Tan
HEAVENSGATE were a band I’d been dying to see live, so when they took a last-minute slot for Terminal Sleep who unfortunately weren’t able to play, it felt like my luck finally showed up. They still came out swinging and put everything into that set. And knowing I get to see them again on Thornhill’s Bodies tour only made me even keener after seeing what they were capable of on that stage. Heaven’s Gate definitely have a big future ahead of them. With the great reception around their EP A HEART IS A HEAVY BURDEN, which dropped late last year, I couldn’t wait to see what was next.
Caskets, hailing all the way from Leeds in England, were here supporting We Came As Romans on their Because We’re Doomed Australian tour, and for the last leg of it they came and played Life’s A Beach. It honestly felt like a little reward at the end of the run, for them and for us. They were usually a bit quote unquote softer for the heavier heads, but live they made everything hit that much harder and turned it up to 11.
It was around their set when the crowd really started to pack in. Not claustrophobic, but tight enough that you could feel the place filling up, shoulders brushing, everyone locked in and making room because nobody wanted to miss it.
Ocean Sleeper decided to bring the props out for the crowd, with Fireball whiskey inflatables flying over everyone’s heads as the sun started to drop. The vibes were immaculate. Music pouring off the stage, that late arvo heat still hanging around, the sun peeking over the trees, and those inflatables making their way from front to back the whole set.
Thy Art Is Murder were a throwback and a half for me. I hadn’t seen them since Good Things 2019, so hearing them again felt nostalgic in the best way. They were easily the heaviest band on the bill, deathcore written all over them. This was one I had to watch from the sidelines and just admire from a distance, because I knew stepping into that pit would’ve been the end of me. Beautiful stuff nonetheless, and it was great getting to hear them again.
And you know I had to get back in the pit for We Came As Romans. They’d been high on my rotation for a few years now, so this one was always going to be a must. Every song hit hard, and the pit hit even harder. The sunset was right in that golden hour glow, the heat finally started to settle, and it honestly gave everyone a second wind.
We Came As Romans // Photo Credit: Rena Tan
David Stephens took that second wind and ran with it. For their final track, Daggers, he crowd surfed during the final breakdown, hands reaching up and swarming to keep him afloat while he kept performing. I always loved seeing that kind of crowd connection, that trust between the band and the people right there with them.
Now the band of the hour, Polaris.
The sun had finally set, and the stage lights had to do all the heavy lifting, putting them on full display. I’d loved Polaris from the start of my metal listening days, and I still remembered getting pulled into this side of music the second I heard The Guilt & The Grief EP. Watching them go from playing Mooroolbark Community Centre back in 2018, to arenas, and now hosting their own festival, it had been unreal. It honestly felt like an honour getting to watch them grow into this level.
Dissipate from Fatalism was their opener, and it came in hard and fast. No warm-up, no easing into it, just straight into the deep end.
Inflatable beach balls were flying through the air for Vagabond, and Jamie was everywhere, moving side to side while the spotlight tracked him the whole time. I took a second to clock it all: We were at the beach, every single one of us having the time of our lives on a Saturday night, and I honestly couldn’t think of anywhere else I’d rather have been.
Jamie hails (Polaris) // Photo Credit: Rena Tan
The setlist kept rolling with a perfect mix of new and old, packed with fan favourites so no one felt left out.
A track I always held close, and a definite highlight for me, was Inhumane. Bassist Jake was bathed in the spotlight as that disgusting bass riff opened the song, and the crowd just roared and went mental.
It was unreal from start to finish, and they’re a band I’ll never get sick of seeing live. But the cherry on top was the fireworks. Straight up fireworks. As Polaris’ set came to a close, the whole sky lit up in colour and the place just erupted, applause everywhere, people yelling, cheering, and soaking in the cool sandy breeze.
Polaris // Photo Credit: Rena Tan
It felt like a proper celebration of everyone who made the day happen, the bands, the crew, the organisers, the PR team, the food and merch vendors, and the crowd that showed up and made it what it was.
I really hope this becomes a regular festival. It felt unique, like something out of a dream, and honestly I had no notes. The only thing I could say was I was already itching to do it again. For a first-time festival from Polaris, I can’t wait to see what they do next.