26 November 2022 – The Princess Theatre, Brisbane – review by Luci Scott – pictures by Justin Gittins
I headed out to the Princess Theatre Saturday evening to catch the Brisbane leg of the co-headlining tour for Deadlights and Mirrors. On a hot November evening a hardcore show isn’t always the most comfortable evening you can have but as I walked into the Princess Theatre for my first time ever, I was hit with the most incredible air conditioning I have ever experienced at a show. The Princess Theatre is a very beautiful venue and I’m surprised more bands are not booking this venue in Brisbane.
Very shortly after arriving, Sydney based heavy rockers; Inertia began their set. For the first band off the rank, you can expect the crowd to be very noncommittal to them, but the crowd were loving them. I noticed at least 2 circle pits form within the first 3 songs (a very rare feat for openers) and when watching the band these boys just looked like they were all loving life. Inertia gave such a great energy to start the night off and gave us some great songs to start the night off with.
After quickly checking out the outside area of Princess Theatre and realising it was much cooler inside, I headed back in just in time for Deadnerve to begin. I was quite surprised with how quick each break was between bands but considering there was 5 bands on the line-up this was to be expected. Coming to this show I had only listened to Deadlights and Mirrors, so all 3 supporting bands were new to me and wow, none of them disappointed, but I was extremely impressed by Deadnerve.
Deadnerve encapsulated the crowd and had some of the best pits I have been to in a while. These boys delivered so much movement and direction to the crowd, really making you want to join in. There were multiple occasions where their lead singer gave fans in the audience opportunities to sing along (and to note these boys not only gave the guys in the audience these opportunities but also gave girls the opportunities too!)
After admittedly going maybe too hard in the Deadnerve pit there was again only a very short break until the Brisbane based rockers Sunbleached took the stage. Sunbleached gave us everything they had, and it was phenomenal. The boys in Sunbleached were able to both keep the energy up within the crowd while also slowing it down a little. While there was not nearly as many pits opening up in the Sunbleached crowd, everyone watching were still into it and enjoying every second.
Mirrors came bounding out next, if I wasn’t tired before they came out, I sure was after. Mirrors delivered one of the most energetic sets I have seen in a very long time and the whole crowd was into it. Smiles were all around as the crowd echoed out alongside Mirrors with every word being sung along to every single song. While keeping the set short, Mirrors managed to pack as much into it as possible and kept the crowd engaged and kinetic the whole time. After thoroughly enjoying Mirrors set it was time for Brisbane’s home grown post-hardcore rockers Deadlights.
From the second the lights dimmed, and guitars started I was mesmerised by this band. Deadlights are a fantastic band to listen to at home but holy hell they are next level live. This band gave us their all and the crowd were all for it. Giving us a mix of older and newer tracks was just what the crowd at the Princess Theatre on Saturday night were longing for. Deadlights gave a perfect mix of heavy and emotive music for us and coupled along with the outstanding lights show that was going on while they played this show really became an experience more than just another concert.
I had gone to this show Saturday not having seen any of these bands live before and I’m not sure why I hadn’t gotten into any of these bands sooner because they all made this night the highlight of my week. I will definitely be checking all these bands out again the next time I see them pop up for a show because I don’t want to sleep on them any longer.
