28 March 2026 – Leichhardt Hotel, Rockhampton – words and pictures by Stella Burke
All revved up and nowhere to go? Not when Northlane is in town. Once again breathing life back into the metal scenes in small Queensland towns. While on their Regional Tour, Northlane smashed it out in Rockhampton last night. With support from opening acts Reliqa and Inertia, the Leichhardt Hotel was the place to be!
To start a long and intense night full of moshing and head-banging, Reliqa hit the stage. Originating from Sydney, Reliqa brought their A game. Displaying some of the best progressive metal-core with the use of their diverse soundscapes featuring a tasteful mix of heavy riffs, electronic elements and articulated guitar work. Calling it a high-energy show would be an understatement. Vocalist Monique Pym knows how to command the show, with her strong stage presence, versatile vocals and a soaring blend of melodic yet rap-like delivery. So if you’re looking for intense, glitchy and heavy breakdowns, be sure to add Reliqa to your ‘must see live’ list.
Reliqa – Leichhardt Hotel – photos by Stella Burke
Straight out of the gate following Reliqa came Inertia. Hold on to your hats! Also hailing from Sydney, Inertia brought a wall of noise with their metal-core/alternative style. Expect a sound full of heavy, djent-influenced instrumentals complemented by electronic elements, emotional and soul searching yet pop-infused vocals. Atmospheric and synth-heavy sounds are often incorporated into their music, many describing it as having a “dystopian” and “futuristic” sensation. Inertia has definitely gained a substantial amount of attention in Australia’s heavy music scene for having a polished and self-produced sound. When looking for a band with melodic and catchy choruses contrasted by crushing breakdowns and screams full of raw emotion, Inertia is the band for you.
Inertia – Leichhardt Hotel – photos by Stella Burke
Now has come that time of the night. Over 500 people crammed into a regional pub; sweaty, exhausted and beat from being in the pit. The anticipation for the main act is growing louder and louder. The final band from the night who has also come out of Sydney, Northlane. Intense, high-energy, profound, even dramatic hardly begin to describe what you’ll experience at a concert of theirs. Praised for having a precise metal-core expertise, and heavy riffs enhanced by EDM-like elements in their songs and albums.
Vocalist Marcus Bridge is phenomenal at conveying beautiful and clean high vocals then suddenly producing a flawless switch to harsh, guttural and crushing low growls. You can feel every ounce of incredible and immense energy in his words when being sung. All of this is happening while the rest of the band delivers sharp, syncopated riffs, heavy blends of low-tuned instruments and an array of industrial-influenced breakdowns. This all creates an amazing atmosphere that leans into a heavy performance with a feeling that has a somewhat “cyber” soundscape presence. All of this is used in playing many of the fan favourites including tracks such as ‘Quantum Flux’, ‘Clockwork’, and ‘Bloodline’.
Northlane – Leichhardt Hotel – photos by Stella Burke
Besides their unique musical performance, the visuals are in a class of their own. Envision a spectacle of high-tech, industrial lighting, smoke effects, and strobing from every angle. Often using blood red and deep blue coloured lighting during their performance, this only intensified their massive on stage presence. However, this was all further pushed when guitarist Johnathon Deiley graced the stage in an all black hooded outfit, accompanied by bright red glowing goggles. With an other-worldly appearance now in tow, this just accentuated the fact that this band knows what they are doing on stage and that they know how to do it well.
Northlane – Leichhardt Hotel – photos by Stella Burke
The night is now coming to an end. After several hours of frantic but fantastic energy not only from all of the bands but from the diverse audience. All the high-energy moshing, singing and crowd surfing has come to a close but isn’t forgotten. Spilling out onto the quiet streets of Rockhampton is a large crowd of elated and exhausted fans, all humming amongst themselves about the unmissable experience that they were all gladly involved in. Not only did we get the pleasure of witnessing a few bands from Sydney, but a promising glimpse into the future of music. Reliqa, Inertia and Northlane are definitely global contenders in the heavy and alternative music scene. If you haven’t seen any of these bands before, GO! And if you have seen these bands before, go again!
