22 October 2025 – The Leichhardt Hotel, Rockhampton – words and pictures by Brad Fry
The Leichhardt Hotel has long been a cornerstone of Rockhampton’s story. First built in 1864 and then rebuilt with greater grandeur in 1889, it stood proudly until 1975, when a modern seven storey building took its place. That version of the hotel served generations before finally closing its doors in 2022. Now, in 2025, the Leichhardt has risen once again, reborn with a striking new design and a dedicated live music space that’s already drawing some of the country’s biggest acts. Tonight, it’s Karnivool’s turn to grace the new venue’s stage for a stop on their Ad Complementum tour (Latin for “to completion”). The symmetry here is hard to ignore: a freshly rebuilt venue and a tour built around the idea of completion. It feels almost like fate and promises something special (but let’s be honest, when is a Karnivool show anything but special). Interestingly there were no support acts tonight. “No fluff” a punter told me as we stood in line, so straight to headliners it was!
Karnivool – The Leichhardt Hotel, Rockhampton – photos by Brad Fry
When the lights cut to black, the reaction was instant. The first notes of new track, ‘Drone’, crept in. A sprawling, slow-burner that moved from delicate ambience into a crushing finale. The room held its breath through every quiet moment. It sounded like the next evolution of Karnivool, less angular, more emotional but still impossible to predict. “I’ve said please, I don’t wanna be rescued now” the crowd seemed to concur with the haunting lyrics as they writhed in unison.
Jon Stockman’s bass tone felt seismic, rattling through the pulsating crowds bones, while the guitar work of Andrew Goddard and Mark Hosking shimmered with precision and pummelled with intensity in equal measure. Then came Ian Kenny’s voice, smooth and commanding, effortlessly shifting from fragility to fury.
Karnivool’s sound has always lived in the space between control and chaos, and tonight they balanced both with surgical precision. The rhythmic interplay between drummer Steve Judd and bassist Jon Stockman was hypnotic and not just complex for complexity’s sake, but locked into an almost meditative pulse. Each transition earned, every buildup perfectly timed to unleash another wave of glorious catharsis.
Karnivool – The Leichhardt Hotel, Rockhampton – photos by Brad Fry
The band pulled from across their catalogue, ‘Goliath’, ‘We Are’ and ‘Simple Boy’ (just to name a few) were met with a roar that shook the room. The crowd knew every word, and when Kenny paused between songs to thank them, the response was deafening. You could tell it meant something to the band, to the locals and to anyone who’s ever driven hours just to see a show that might not come again.
Rockhampton crowds have a deep love for live music and from the first note, the connection was instant. Lyrics were echoed back at the stage, every pause met with cheers, every crescendo felt communal. When ‘New Day’ began, phones dropped, arms rose, and for a few minutes, the noise of the outside world didn’t exist.
Kenny’s performance was captivating and honest. He moved with quiet intensity, sometimes standing motionless under the light, sometimes leaning into the crowd as if daring them to come closer. The rest of the band revelled in the love the room had for the powerhouse performers. When Karnivool left the stage, people stood grinning, sweaty and stunned.
Karnivool – The Leichhardt Hotel, Rockhampton – photos by Brad Fry
Ad Complementum can also refer (conceptually) to something that is necessary to fill a gap. Karnivool’s visit tonight, certainly plugged a hole in CQ’s live music folklore as well as in the hearts of the punters. It was a reminder that in regional Australia (where live music of this calibre sometimes feels like a luxury) nights like this are fuel for the region’s soul. Tonight, the Leichhardt Hotel became a cathedral of sound with Karnivool delivering a sermon of epic proportions.
