30 June 2024 – Harvey Road Tavern, Gladstone – words and pictures by Brad Fry
Like moths to the flame, music fans gathered in euphoric unity at The Harvey Road Tavern in Gladstone to enjoy a night with Polaris as a part of their epic “Tour Australis ’24” tour. Jumping onboard for this leg of the tour were Ocean Grove and Bloom who added significant fuel to the fire that Polaris bring to every performance they do. Metal fans always show up for shows at “The Tav” and tonight was no different. A sea of the metal faithful swarmed around the venue doors eagerly awaiting access. Upon their entry, the room filled quickly as punters jostled for the best position at the stage, the bar or in most cases both. Everyone in attendance was ready for a great night and as the show began, I am sure the feeling was reciprocated from all the bands. Here we go Gladstone! Here we go!
If Bloom were the barometer for the nights action then we were set for one hell of a ride. The Sydney based band took to the stage and immediately hit top gear. As the first notes reverberated through the venue, the audience were immediately captivated. Bloom are made up of Jono Hawkey (Vocals), Jarod McLaren (Guitar), Oli Butler (guitar), Ben Masters (filling in on drums) and Andrew Martin (Bass) who all performed impeccably from the start of the set to the end. Kicking off their set with ‘Laughing Stock’ the band were greeted with enthusiastic cheers from all corners of the room. ‘Siren Song’ and ‘Daylight’ were the next songs to greet the ears of the Gladstone locals as Hawkey delivered his vocals with intensity and passion. Dual vocals coning from McLaren and Butler added as much extra weight to the lyrics as their guitars added to the sound. ‘An Exit’, ‘Maybe In Another Life’ and ‘Carve Yourself Into My Lungs’ came in quick succession with the powerful rhythm section of Martin and Masters on display throughout.
Bloom – Harvey Road Tavern – photos by Brad Fry
‘You & I’, ‘The Service’ and ‘Cold’ closed out Bloom’s killer set and it left an indelible mark on the crowd. Bloom will have made new fans in the port city and, for those in attendance that were already fans, it will have solidified what they already know, that is, Bloom are a band on an upward trajectory with no sign of it petering out any time soon. Get some Bloom in your life! You won’t be disappointed!
Ocean Grove is a unique and dynamic band that has carved out a distinctive niche in the alternative music scene. Hailing from Melbourne, the band is known for its eclectic style that blends elements of nu-metal, punk, and alternative rock, creating a sound that is both nostalgic and refreshingly modern.
Made up of Sam Bassal (drums) Twiggy Hunter (bass and vocals) Dale Tanner (vocals and bass). Ocean Grove were joined on stage by guitarist Jamie Marinos who tore up his parts without hesitation. One of the standout aspects of Ocean Grove is their ability to seamlessly merge heavy, aggressive riffs with catchy melodies and electronic elements. This diversity was on display throughout their set and, for the uninitiated, it was an invigorating baptism into the Ocean Grove party.
Ocean Grove – Harvey Road Tavern – photos by Brad Fry
‘Fly Away’, ‘Lights On Kind Of Lover’ and ‘Neo’ were the first three songs to cascade down from The Tavs stage to the eager audience already entranced by the “OG” experience. ‘Ask For The Anthem’ and ‘Guys From The Gord’ sounded as great as they did on the bands 2020 album ‘Flip Phone Fantasy’. ‘No Offence Detected’ is a new song that sat comfortably in the set and I am sure will prove to be another fan favourite.
Vocally, Ocean Grove offers a versatile mix of gritty, powerful screams and smooth, melodic singing. Swapping between bass and vocal duties, Hunter and Tanner bring very different styles to the mic that balance each other out brilliantly. The lyrics often explore themes of identity, societal issues, and personal struggles, resonating with a wide audience and adding depth to their energetic sound. ‘My Disaster’, ‘Stratosphere Love’ and ‘Sunny’ were followed up by ‘Junkies’ and the set was finished but not before praise was heaped on to opening act Bloom and adding hype to the crowd about headliners Polaris. Special mention must go to Sam Bassel on the drums, he was phenomenal all night! Power and dexterity all delivered in perfect balance. The band’s high-energy shows are marked by their engaging stage presence and the ability to connect with the audience, making each concert an unforgettable experience!
The time had come for Polaris to take the stage. Anticipation had been building all night and the room was buzzing as the band assembled at the side of stage. As they kicked into their first few songs, ‘The Crossfire’, ‘All Of This Is Fleeting’ and ‘Hypermania’, the musicianship displayed by Polaris was exceptional. Jamie Hails’ vocals were powerful and versatile, seamlessly transitioning between melodic singing and intense screams. The guitar work of Rick Schneider and Jesse Crofts (from Windwaker) created a rich tapestry of sound, blending intricate riffs with heavy breakdowns. Jake Steinhauser on bass and Daniel Furnari on drums provided a tight and dynamic rhythm section, driving the band’s sound forward with relentless energy.
Polaris – Harvey Road Tavern – photos by Brad Fry
Polaris excelled in their interaction with the crowd, creating a sense of unity and excitement. Jamie Hails frequently engaged with the audience, encouraging sing-alongs and crowd participation. The band’s genuine appreciation for their fans was evident, making the concert feel like a shared experience rather than just a performance.
‘Above My Head’, ‘Overflow’ and ‘Sonder’ featured next in the set and the crowd was in fine voice! While living my best photographer life in photo pit I really had not seen just how full the room was. After some overzealous crowd surfing got us removed from the pit for safety my eyes couldn’t (and could to be honest) believe just how tightly packed the fans were. A sea of Polaris fans filled the entire room and as a local I was so happy that they had all come out in droves.
‘Dissipate’, ‘Masochist’ and ‘With Regards’ were all met with the enthusiasm you would expect from a Polaris crowd! Cheers, singing, crowd surfing from all areas of the room. The vibe was high as Polaris blew the fans away with their dynamic performance. Rounding out the night were ‘The Remedy’, ‘All In Vain’, ‘Nightmare’ and ‘Inhumane’. All songs were incredibly well received by the fans and performed impeccable by Polaris (but what else would you expect?)
Polaris – Harvey Road Tavern – photos by Brad Fry
Polaris poured lashings of expertly crafted metal from the stage and the hungry Gladstone crowd devoured every morsel.
Polaris’ show at Harvey Road Tavern was an unforgettable experience. Their technical skill, emotional depth, and charismatic stage presence combined to create a night that left a lasting impression on all in attendance. For fans of the band and metal enthusiasts, this concert was a testament to why Polaris is one of the leading acts in the genre. Harvey Road Tavern provided the perfect backdrop for an evening of intense, high-energy music that will be remembered for years to come.
From start to finish tonight’s performance was a master class in musicality and live performance. Every band delivered a polished performance along with dynamic stage craft and top tier crowd interaction.
To Bloom, Ocean Grove and Polaris, thank you for stopping in and recognising that music fans exist (passionately in tonight’s case) outside of big cities. You will all have a home here and we all can’t wait to do it again!
