Northlane | Chelsea Heights Hotel
On Sunday the 24th of august, a friend and I made our way out to the Chelsea heights hotel, eager as ever for Northlane to take the stage, this was the final show of their ‘All Over Australian’ tour, with this being a quite a special hometown show for one of the bands openers Ocean Grove. Northlane had an incredible line up touring alongside them with Ocean Grove and Mirrors opening for them for all 14 shows across Australia and featuring other bands in each state with us being lucky enough having Lune Grove create absolute chaos on stage with them for the Victoria leg of the tour.
Photo Credit: Tristan Skell
I made my way past the crowds waiting for merch and headed straight up to grab a red bull and secure my spot by the barricade, with the line up we had coming there was no way I was going to miss a second on it. Just as I secured the perfect spot Lune Grove took the stage, the crowd all shuffled in close then began to part with the pit opening straight up like it was a natural occurrence without Lune even having to say a word. The Melbourne based modern metalcore band consists of Vocalist Nathaniel Smith, Drummer Harrison Mills, Bassist David Freeland and Guitarist Krys Smith. Playing a wide variety of their discography such as ‘Left Behind’ released in 2023 and ‘Exit’ released in 2021 they also showcased a new song as well titled ‘All I am’ which is yet to be released but be sure to keep your eyes peeled for that one as I’m sure it'll be one, you’ll want to keep on repeat.
The next band to grace the Chelsea Heights Hotel stage was one I’m actually quite familiar with, not only have I seen them before and become quite the fan, but I’ve also had the opportunity of reviewing them before as well when they wreaked havoc on stage opening for ERRA with silent planet and resolve for their ‘Cure’ tour. Although the line-up for this gig had changed since the last time, I’d seen them the same cannot be said about the energy absolutely exuding from that stage the minute Mirrors stepped up. They managed to maintain the same dynamic vocal range all while evolving their intricate but boisterous sounds too. Mirrors knew what to play to get the crowd stirring, playing songs such as ‘Leave Them Behind’ and finishing with a personal favourite of mine ‘Rebirth’ both from their 2021 album ‘The Ego’s Weight’ as well as playing their newest song released in 2024 ‘Vistage’ which is currently sitting #1 in popularity on Spotify. The dynamic group was formed in Gippsland, Victoria in 2016 and is made up of four members vocalist Patty Goodman, guitarist Tyson Taifer, Drummer Rob Brens and Bassist Jack Mackin.
Although the main performance of the night was obviously Northlane, I’ll be quite honest in saying the whole night I was entirely too keen for Ocean Grove to once again grace the stage. Similar to Mirrors this isn’t my first time seeing this vivacious band live after seeing them perform and absolutely demolish the pit when opening for Void of Vision’s final show ever back in July, it’s safe to say I was hooked. They truly are the perfect blend of hardcore and nu metal and truly add an alternative and unique twist to the music they put out. They were actually formed pretty close to the Chelsea Heights Hotel itself with most of the members originally being from Mentone so I’m sure this would’ve been quite the sentimental stop on the tour for it to end on.
Photo Credit: Tristan Skell
The band themselves consists of Vocalist Dale Tanner, Bass Guitarist and Vocalist Brent “Twiggy” Hunter, Drummer and producer Sam Bassal as well as studio-only member Matthew Victor Kopp better known as Running touch who contributes synthesizers as well as additional production. Throughout the night they played banger after banger only leading to more chaos and crowd surfing much to the securities dismay. We got to hear ‘Last Dance’ and ‘My Disaster’ both from their album titled ‘Oddworld’ released late last year and finishing up their enthralling set by playing two personal favourites of mine ‘Fly Away’ which was also featured on ‘Oddworld’ as well as ‘Junkies’ which was on the album prior titled ‘Flip Phone Fantasy’ released way back when in 2020.
Photo Credit: Tristan Skell
Finally, the reason we were all lucky enough to hear these ever-talented bands come together in one place, Northlane took the stage. Between the lights, the cultivating energy, and riot like crowd this was set to be a show like no other especially given it was the last. This was my first time seeing Northlane perform and with a whopping 14 songs on the setlist I was certainly not disappointed. Having only a few weeks before finished the Asia leg of their tour, Chelsea Heights Hotel was certainly quite the venue to end on for the last show of the ‘All Over Australia’ tour too. After 14 shows across regional Australia and 6 shows throughout Asia you’d assume the band would be feigning for a break but what’s the saying no rest for the wicked as they get set to fly out and begin shows throughout the US including performing at ‘Louder than Life Festival’ in Louisville in mid-September.
The band is made up of Vocalist Marcus Bridge, Guitarists Jonathon Deiley and Josh Smith and Drummer Nic Pettersen and were formed in 2009 in Blacktown, New South Wales. They have reminisced on humble beginnings with their first show in 2010 being nearby their hometown in Penrith in the back of a Chinese restaurant with them stating’ there were more people on stage than in the crowd’. The band combines expansive metalcore dynamics with evolutionary techno, drums and bass and many other signatures that coexist within their art. Playing ever popular hits like ‘4D’ and ‘Bloodline’ was a throwback 2019 with their album ‘Alien’ and finishing on a clear fan favourite ‘Clockwork’ from their most recent album ‘Obsidian’ published in 2022. Although they wrapped up the night, they quickly returned to please an encore demanding crowd with an little throwback to 2017 to play ‘Citizen’ showcased in an early album titled ‘Mesmer’.
Photo Credit: Tristan Skell
Overall I certainly had a night I won’t be forgetting for a very long time, for the bands I’d had the pleasure of seeing before this just became an extension of the talent and character I’d seen from both of them in the past and for both Lune Grove and of course our headliner Northlane they created quite the perfect first impression and it’s safe to say not only was I blown away, I’ve quickly become quite the fan. I have so much respect for all the incredible bands who showcased the passion and love they truly have for their music and the industry they help shape so much. So to Lune Grove, Mirrors, Ocean Grove and Northlane: thank you for an incredible night and be sure to keep an eye on new music or if you’re around be sure to catch a show.