4 November 2023 – The Tivoli, Brisbane – words and pictures by Luke Petty
For the past 20 years, Sunk Loto’s album Between Birth and Death has been a source of joy and inspiration for countless fans. And tonight, they gathered at the Tivoli to celebrate this masterpiece. The anticipation was through the roof as fans lined the street, their hearts pounding with excitement and eager to enter and celebrate in style.
The night kicked off with Red Bee, a three-piece rock band from the Blue Mountains. Their heavy riffs and energetic stage presence quickly won over the crowd, who swayed and sang along instantly to opening song ‘Gutter Christ’. Asking the crowd to add them on Facebook as they need the dopamine hit got quite a few laughs. Singer Dan Silk really nailed his vocals throughout the set and then giving the crowd a brand new song ‘Assassin’ from their new upcoming third album. With their infectious energy and genuine interaction with the audience, Red Bee set the tone for an unforgettable evening.
Next up were Ocean Sleeper, Melbourne’s finest metalcore specialists. As the opening chords of ‘Forever Sinking’ reverberated through the venue, the crowd surged to their feet, their adrenaline pumping. Frontman Karl Spiessl owned the stage, his powerful vocals and captivating stage presence commanding attention. The crowd roared along to ‘Sleep Life Away’ and ‘Hate Me Like You Mean It’, their voices echoing through the hall singing along with Lonei Heckenberg’s clean vocals. Finishing off an amazing set with recent hit ‘Never The One’ and fan favourite ‘Light in my Dark’. A perfect song to close out a wonderful set. Karl jumping up to finish the song with the crowd on the barrier. Ocean Sleeper are a real up and coming band, joining the lineup for Good Things 2023 and hopefully soon enough headlining their own shows. These boys are talented.
Anticipation reached new levels as the curtain descended, the Sunk Loto logo illuminating the stage. The crowd erupted in cheers, their voices mingling as they waited for what was to come. Smoke billowed from beneath the curtain, creating an air of mystery and excitement. As the intro played, the curtain lifted, and Sunk Loto burst onto the stage, launching into ‘5 Years of Silence’. The crowd absolutely errupted, their voices merging with Jason Brown’s soaring vocals. The mosh pit surged with energy, a testament to the band’s enduring power. Despite two decades since their debut, Sunk Loto’s performance was flawless, with each member delivering their part with precision and passion. Newest member Rohan Stevenson seamlessly integrated into the band, his guitar riffs adding depth and texture to the music. It felt like he had been a part of the band since day one.
Song after song, Sunk Loto delivered a performance of pure intensity. Jason introduced ‘Help’ the song that ignited the album and their journey, and ‘Starved’ a heartfelt tribute to a lost friend. He shared that ‘Everything Everyway’ was about the woman he loved, but also a universal message of self-acceptance and empowerment. The performance was nothing short of electrifying. Jason’s screams pierced the air, while the band’s instrumental prowess shone through. Hits like ‘Burning Bridges’ and ‘Inside’ sent shivers down the spines of the audience.
As they concluded the album’s playthrough, Jason declared, “That was the album! That was 20 years ago. This is now!” The intro to their new song, ‘The Gallows Wait’ filled the air, and the crowd erupted in a frenzy of excitement. The mosh pit transformed into a swirling vortex of energy as fans embraced the band’s new material. Everyone has waiting such a long time for new music from Sunk Loto and now experiencing it live for only the third time was absolutely surreal. Sunk Loto seamlessly blended their new songs with their classics, sharing stories that took the audience on a journey through their musical evolution. The night drew to a close with the iconic ‘Sunken Eyes’ and ‘Lift’ transporting the crowd back to the glory days of Big Day Out 2001. The energy in the room was electric as fans raised their voices in a final act of unity and celebration.
Even after two decades, it felt like just yesterday when Between Birth and Death was released. The intensity and perfection of Sunk Loto’s performance proved that they are back with a vengeance, ready to conquer new heights. As the final notes faded away, the crowd lingered, basking in the afterglow of an unforgettable performance. Sunk Loto had not just celebrated their past; they had ignited the flames for a future filled with even more music and memories.
