Future Static & Reliqa – Gig Review & Photo Gallery 19th October @ The Baso, Canberra ACT

Future Static and Reliqa
The Baso, Canberra ACT
October 19th, 2025
Supports: Heartline and St. Sinner

The eclectic talent in the Australian music scene leads live music enjoyers to theorise diverse lineups that could take the country by storm. Future Static and Reliqa are two quite different bands that work well in a somewhat matching soundscape. It was only a matter of time before these two acts toured together, and much to the delight of Australians everywhere they’ve embarked on a lengthy regional run together. Canberra crowds have a bit of a reputation to skip presales and aim for door tickets on the day. Given both Future Static’s and Reliqa’s multiple successful shows in a row on their last visits, it seemed apt that the capital crowd turned up in force to sell out this tour date before any other on this run. On top of the anticipation of a sold-out show in the intimate Abyss stage of the Baso, this was my first heavy gig in two months and to say I was eager is an understatement. Completing this lineup is touring support act Heartline and local support band St. Sinner.

The night began with an already filled room for St. Sinner. The band’s creative sound echoed with energy throughout the venue, pumping the room up with their take on metalcore. The quintet was fronted by an initially masked vocalist, who blended heavy screams and controlled clean melodies with tact alongside the diverse instrumentals. St. Sinner’s live sets are a party where you can expect cohesive live production, chanting melodies, groovy riffs, and hectic breakdowns in one multi-faceted package.

Adelaide’s Heartline brought their genre blending metalcore noise to the stage in style, busting out various tracks from their 2024 Pink Lemonade EP and other favourites from their discography including latest single ‘Dead Batteries’ amongst other treats. Synthy sounds and near constant bounce are parts of the experience of being in a Heartline crowd, and Canberra were more than happy to partake. The vibes peaked when vocalist Luke Taylor announced they were about to play a song we all knew, and the band ripped into their live take on Paramore’s ‘Misery Business’. This iconic anthem and new original songs drew applause and cheer from the room, ensuring Heartline will not be forgotten anytime soon.

The first headline set of the evening began when Reliqa masterfully played through bangers from latest album Secrets of the Future. I hadn’t seen Reliqa since prior to the release of this record, and I’m delighted to comment on how joyous it was to witness one of Australia’s coolest bands smash through songs like ‘Keep Yourself Awake’, ‘Cave’, and ‘The Flower’ to name a few. I spent a good portion of the set taking in the proficient guitarist skills of Brandon Hutcheson, applying technical prowess to harness a range of sounds that blew my mind. Bassist Miles Knox bounced around and commanded the stage, in time to the captivating beats of drummer Benjamin Knox. Vocalist Monique Pym harnessed her beautiful voice and involved stage presence, to complete the magic that was Reliqa’s performance. Throughout their set, Reliqa integrated the crowd in a heartfelt performance of ‘Sariah’ and enthusiastic sing alongs to latest single ‘Your Touch’. By the time the band closed out with ‘Terminal’, I found myself once again enthralled with Reliqa and they’ve frequented my listening in the following days since the gig. This band create pure magic in their live shows, and they are not to be slept on.

Future Static is a band I’ve followed since their performance at 2021’s Knight and Day festival. I’ve been an avid listener of their debut album Liminality and they’re quickly becoming one of my most seen live bands. My love for them was further cemented by their exceptional headline set that I will remember vividly for quite some time. Guitarists Ryan Qualizza and Jack Smith continue to shine with their utilisation of intense rhythm guitar chugs and lead runs. They interplay so well with the frenetic vocal pacing of Amariah Cook, who herself employed exemplary high notes intermingled with heavy fry screams despite comments about vocal capacity prior to the set. Bassist and backing vocalist Kira Neil adds such a dynamic tonality to the lyrics of Liminality as well as atmosphere to melodies and breakdowns, while drummer Jackson Trudel looks like he’s having the time of his life. Jackson is by far one of my favourite drummers to watch live because the energy he puts into nailing his technically demanding position, reflects into the smile on his face as he looks so at home on the stage. Every member of Future Static cohesively makes use of the stage space they have, and Amariah took this one step further when balancing on the railings while projecting her power to the enthusiastic crowd. I had the time of my life screaming out to my faves from Liminality ‘Chemical Lobotomy’ and ‘…And The Walls That Were Built’, and nothing could prepare the room for the heaviness that ensued too when Luke from Heartline fulfilled his studio feature on ‘Iliad’. He jumped on the rails alongside Amariah and the roof was blown off the Baso. Kira then proceeded to ask the crowd if we were ready for something new, and Amariah emerged with a mask that made her look like a haunting harlequin. Future Static told the crowd they were gauging the reception to this unreleased banger, and I’m certain they heard nothing but good things whether it be the audience cheers and headbangs, or post show comments. I am here to tell you this preview of ‘There’s Nowhere Else To Go’ has left a huge impression on me, one that leaves me excited for the future of the band. The night culminated in the finale that was ‘Roach Queen’, and this gig is stuck in my head.

Due to this being my first heavy gig in 2 months, and the overwhelming anticipation of seeing such talented acts I was concerned I had overhyped myself. What if the performance wasn’t what I expected? What if there was sound or venue issues? I am fucking thrilled that my expectations of this tour were surpassed. St. Sinner and Heartline are genre blending melting pots that perform with chaotic flair. Reliqa and Future Static work their magic to put you in a headbanging trance, where you scream and sing your heart out with passion until the last note is played. The lingering joy I’ve had in the days since this gig has left my heart feeling full, and more invested and excited than ever in the Australian music scene.

Reliqa setlist:

Keep Yourself Awake
Cave
Killstar (The Cold World)
The Flower
I Don’t Know What I Am
The Bearer of Bad News
Sariah
Serum
Your Touch
Terminal

Future Static setlist:

Waves
Icarus
The Hourglass
Plated Gold
…And The Walls That Were Built
Chemical Lobotomy
Will I?
Iliad (featuring Luke Taylor of Heartline)
There’s Nowhere Else To Go
Venenosa
Roach Queen

Words and photos by Tyler Lubke.
Please credit Wall of Sound and Tyler Lubke if you repost photos.

Get tickets to the remaining shows here.