With a relatively mediocre crowd scattered inside The Arena’s downstairs area, support act Kiai Academy began their set in front of a quiet crowd. A lack of sleep, owing in part to a 12-hour drive up to Brisbane, did not seem evident, as the Sydney punk five-piece flailed around on stage, exuding youthful energy in spades. The end of their set brought about what seemed like it would turn into a mini apunkalypse, although the final toll was a mere one fallen crash cymbal and a mic stand that felt the full force of lead vocalist Anthony’s guitar. A good set all round (tracks Walk Away and One Second stood out most), although the crowd’s appreciation would not be shown in any substantial form until the headliners entered onto the stage.

After exiting the venue for a short while, only returning just as the Sparta lads walked into the spotlight, it was almost a surprise to see the crowd completely abuzz and cramped up in front of the stage based on the previous set’s atmosphere, although the massive contrast was well-justified as the Texas via California via Virginia band ripped through their set.

With all band members dressed in black shirts and matching pants, an eerie ambience fell upon the venue as the four-piece blasted into their set. Fans up the front thrashed passionately, while admirers from afar watched intently as the act showcased songs off their recent album Threes, including Unstitch Your Mouth, and rocking single Taking Back Control. Not wanting to perform a solely new album-focused affair, Sparta churned out fan favourites Air, Cataract and Breaking The Broken, amongst other songs off their previous two long player efforts, Wiretap Scars and Porcelain. Upbeat anthem Rx Coup managed to keep the crowd moving and moshing in riotous fashion until the inevitable set close. However, the one thing more inevitable than a set close is an encore, and the post-hardcore rockers lived up to that very act of predicability. Dedicating the encore opener to their Australian fans, Sparta blasted into debut single Cut Your Ribbon to a euphoric response. Much more flailing, thrashing and moshing ensued.

With time quickly running out before the band had to exit the stage for the night permanently, the last bars of Cut Your Ribbon were played, allowing time for one more song. Rather than keep up the blistering pace of the majority of their set, and indeed their previous song, the band opted instead to play a much mellower song as the final song of their Antipodean tour. As the first chords of Atlas floated from the speakers, the crowd surely felt bittersweet; the band were still playing, sure, however the act was almost over, and to end on such a serene song only added to the overwhelming sense of melancholy. Yet, despite this fact, the crowd managed to embrace the finality of the night’s proceedings by joining lead vocalist Jim Ward in a final singalong to the last stanza while the rest of the band left the stage. Continuing for a minute or two, Ward had the crowd in the palm of his hand as the crowd resonated the chant “More than lights expose / who you are” before he himself left the stage with his guitar in hand, yet leaving behind many satisfied fans.

As the majority of the crowd exited, while diehard fans clambered for any semblance of band paraphernalia they could get their hands on, that feeling of contentment mixed with a tinge of sorrow just couldn’t be shaken. Yet even though ticket number 300 could not be found (think “SPARTAAAA!”), the contentment still outweighed that lump in the throat that signals one had been in the presence of something truly great. And one just cannot wait for the time in which that feeling returns once again.