Dayseeker - Gig Review & Photo Gallery 9th December @ Crowbar, Bris QLD

Dayseeker
Crowbar, Brisbane QLD
December 9, 2025
Support: Banks Arcade and Headwreck

There was an unruly sound of stomping footsteps heard throughout Brisbane last night as one of the most highly-anticipated gigs of the year rolled into the city amidst a sea of thunderous applause and cheers... no, not Lady Gaga, I'm talking about the almighty Dayseeker.

According to my TIDAL Rewind, 'Creature In The Black Night' was my most listened to song of the year and so I HAD to witness it live for the very first time (yes, I'm late to the party I know...) and what better way to do so than in the intimate setting of Crowbar alongside very special guests Banks Arcade and Headwreck.

Local lads Headwreck are still riding on the hype wave after scoring the local slot at Good Things Festival on Sunday and made the most of their time on stage by delivering a ferocious display of ADHD-metalcore. Their latest EP Attitude Adjustment has been in high rotation for a couple weeks now and to witness songs like 'Plan Z' and "Filet-O-Fish' live for the first time was well worth the wait.

My first impression was that the band - made up of vocalist Connor Hickman, guitarist Jamo Benadie, bassist Dayne Paix and drummer Colby Horton - looked like your little cousins who discovered your old Parkway and BMTH CDs, studied the formula and recorded their own approach to metalcore. Part screamo band, part modern nu-metal with spitfire rapping from Connor, this unique approach will earn them praise for keeping you on your toes.

As the set continued (which also featured a heavy cover of 50 Cent's 'In da Club') I couldn't help but hear the influx of influences this band have taken on board; but in a good way. It's like they took the best elements of Australian bands like Northlane, Windwaker, DREGG and Polaris, threw in some djent, dualling guitars and phat basslines for good measure and re-worked the sound with their own signature flavour. A tempo change during 'Plan Z' caught me off guard and despite enduring severe microphone frustrations, Connor powered through like a champion.

Headwreck's chaotic approach to modern metalcore is going to win over new fans and it's no surprise why so many of our #WoSYearInReview guest contributors have shouted out the band as their favourite, or the next big thing. My only constructive criticism was that they need to work on their stage presence. During a couple of technical difficulties, it appeared the band didn't quite know what to do with the crowd, but when everything was in working order, you couldn't take your eyes off the stage.

A bit more traction and shows under their belts (apparently we should 'watch this space' involving something to do with The Amity Affliction next week) and they'll be unstoppable. Mark my words, Headwreck will be a household name by the end of 2026

Next up was Banks Arcade who I was seeing live for the first time, despite editing and publishing many articles about them over the past 5 years.

Unfortunately, I just didn't gel with their set, for no reason besides the music just didn't hit me like I wanted it to. The band hone in on nu-metal elements with screams and chunky bass, but despite frontman Joshua O'Donnell's best efforts (including some impressive melodies and full screams) it just didn't click with me. That's not to say it was a bad thing, their songs have an appeal and the breakdowns were nasty at times, but myself and the crowd around me didn't seem to give off the same energy the band were giving us. It was a school night after all.

Josh told the crowd they have a new album coming next year and the new song they played was heavy, so maybe I'll give that studio recording a listen to see if that hits.

As time ticked fast, the lights dimmed and Dayseeker hit the stage 5 minutes early (we love an early night, right) and immediately hooked into the alluring, atmospheric anthem 'Pale Moonlight', which set the tone for a hypnotic night of vampiric proportions.

The powerful and attractive essence of Rory Rodriguez is second to none. This enigma croons in a way that just captivates and holds your attention, leaving you hanging on his every word. The raft of emotions felt throughout this show was unlike anything I had ever witnessed before. I was deeply emotional during songs like 'Burial Plot', screaming my lungs out for 'Crawl Back To My Coffin' and 'Without Me' and soaring high (with terrible singing) for 'Shapeshift' - not to mention that transition from 'Midnight Eternal' into 'Dark Sun' - then oozing from every orifice on my 38 year old body with tracks like 'Sleeptalk', 'Bloodlust' and my third most listened to song of 2025, 'Creature in the Black Night'.

It needs to be said, I'm a gay man with an attraction to older blokes, but there is something about Rory that I just cannot shy away from. The way he sings and belts out those high melodies before following it up with his soothing mid-range and touch-of-hell lows makes me feel I thirst I've never had for a younger man before. I've made jokes about Dayseeker creating a new genre called CumCore all year long, and after seeing this band live and up close and personal, I stand by that call at full mast. Sorry not sorry for the visuals.

It wasn't just Rory though, bassist Ramone Valerio and drummer Zac Mayfield - along with their touring guitarist Mr Mitchell Stark of Silent Planet - kept up the pace all night and watching them sway and react to the crowd was a joy to witness. The lighting added to the performance with blood red spotlights filling the venue during the crushing breakdown moments of signature songs like 'Bloodlust', and pink for the more sombre sections of the set.

From the opening bars of 'Pale Moonlight' through to the triumphant climax of encore, 'Neon Grave', Dayseeker guided us through an emotional outpouring of expression that'll be remembered for years to cum... err I mean, come.

Rory addressed the crowd stating the band first toured Australia in 2022 and have come back every year since, building upon this "beautiful thing" they've created with their ever-growing fanbase. The fans gave their all, joining in on many sing-a-longs to soothe our broken hearts and trauma without a care for who was around us.

Upon reflection, there's no way in hell this band will ever play a show this intimate in Australia again and to bear witness to their graduation from club shows to the very likely promise of large scale venues from here on out is a core memory I will take with me to my (neon) grave.

Review by Paul 'Browny' Brown @brownypaul

Setlist

Pale Moonlight
Shapeshift
Dreamstate
Burial Plot
Crawl Back to My Coffin
Homesick
Midnight Eternal
Dark Sun
Bloodlust
Without Me
Crying While You're Dancing
The Living Dead
Creature in the Black Night
Sleeptalk

Encore

Neon Grave

Photo Gallery by Charlyn Cameron. Insta: @chuck_stuff. Please credit Wall of Sound and Charlyn Cameron if you repost photos