While She Sleeps + Loathe + Mirrors @ The Triffid, July 2022

Photos + Review by Dayna w Gilmore

On my damp walk around the corner to Brisbane’s Iconic Triffid, I joined the all -black - wearing crowd on the 1st of July as we made our move towards those big heavy doors. I could sense the keen anticipation while patrons excitedly buzzed in the beer garden awaiting for those doors to open and warmly welcome the very British filled line- up to our shores.

Mirrors - Image by Dayna Gilmore

Mirrors kicked the night off on an unreal note. The Crowd packed out early and the energy under the Triffid’s tin roof was alive. From an immaculate set to circle pits, the Aussie melodic metalcore band Mirrors came prepared.

 These guys were a perfect fit for this stacked lineup, giving AUS metalcore a vibrant representation amongst our international friends and proving that heavy music is here to stay. Playing fresh songs off their 2021 record ‘The Ego’s Weight’ - Mirrors came out with something to prove - They are here to make waves.

Loathe - Image by Dayna Gilmore

The gritty band from Liverpool, Loathe shot out of the gates with their track ‘Aggressive Evolution’ and f****** delivered. Loathes energy was off the charts, it was contagious and spread through the Triffid like wildfire. It was the band’s first time on Brisbane shores and by the looks of the crowd - definitely not their last! I am envisioning petitions for a Loathe headliner.

Loathe kept up an engaging and infectious performance with singer Kadeem France, asking for us to ‘stay with them’ as they continued plowing through their set - and as if we wouldn’t! They played with a striking uniqueness that left me charged up and ready to take on anything that got in my way, (metaphorically of course).

With their Liverpool spirit spilling out at every given opportunity, the sincerity of their performance, alongside their incredible musicianship - I truly let them in and it took everything to not scream ‘please come back and do that all over again’. They might have ended their night on ‘White Hot’ - but Loathe ignited their Red Hot fuel in Brisbane that will be burning for a long time to come.

While She Sleeps - Image by Dayna Gilmore

While She Sleeps - The big finale on this already major night. Wow. I’ll be the first to admit that I was not ready for the wall of mania that was about to be unleashed from everybody in this venue. An extreme adrenaline rush from the excitement of both the crowd and singer Loz Taylor, was unmatched. I felt like I needed a seatbelt or a safety harness because whether I wanted to or not, my 5’ foot self was going to end up on the other side of the venue.

Fresh album and single “Sleeps Society” was naturally the opening track for the Sheffield rockers. Very pleased to be welcomed so warmly for their first-ever Australian headline tour - it was obvious to see just how much they wanted to play for us and man did this crowd show it…the pit was jumping and the tops of many women vanished never to be seen again - it was a very ‘steel panther’ affair. It’s safe to say, the crowd was into it.

The typical Queensland crowd began to chant ‘shoey’ at poor Taylor mid-set, who - I’m still not sure understood what exactly we were chanting for - politely declined the crowd and tossed the singular stray doc marten, (unknown if it was returned to its rightful owner.) Some say it was a missed opportunity in Queensland culture - but I was secretly relieved when I saw the boot leave the stage - I think it would be nice to have the taste of our cheering crowd in his mouth rather than that of a stranger’s foot. That might just be me.

Although no shoeys were consumed, I think it’s safe to assume that Brisbane did not disappoint While She Sleeps. After a really rocky few years for the international music industry, we are finally getting used to such treasures like WSS - and we as patrons are making it known just how important our industry is. While She Sleeps is the perfect example of an international chaotic match made in heaven with the people of Australia and it was a pleasure to witness such a raw, powerful display of passion and intensity.

Ending their insanely heavy, punchy set, metalcore legends While She Sleeps left Brisbane very satisfied and full of adoration. Until next time, Catch While She Sleeps on their last Australian show, July 9th @ the Amplifier Bar, Perth.

Mirrors + Loathe + While She Sleeps

Photo Gallery by: Dayna w Gilmore