Fleshwater, Ingrown, Secret World @ Lion Arts Factory, Adelaide 11/11/2026
Some nights in Adelaide music lovers really are spoilt for choice. Down the road metal giants Iron Maiden and Megadeth were doing their thing at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre and the finely tuned algorithm lead others to Lion Arts Factory for Fleshwater, Ingrown and Secret World. Both shows were sold out and a huge tick in the box for Adelaide and another sign that the scene here is incredibly healthy. Tough choice because on any other night I would have gone to both but this time round Fleshwater was my choice and one that I’m glad that I got to see.
What was on show was three quite different style to the hardcore genre but all sharing the same common goal of playing hard and fast with moshing, crowd surfing, circle pits and walls of death a plenty. Sometimes the energy and passion of the crowd makes the show and that was clearly the case tonight. I don’t think I have seen anything quite like it for a while and one of those shows that you just had to be there.
Hardcore outfit from Sydney Secret World continue to build their reputation playing a ferocious live set. Their time was short but they nailed it. Think Speed, Downside and Trophy Eyes and you’re part way there. Their music packs plenty of punch and has plenty of hook-laden choruses as well as all the ingredients you expectation from an Australian band in the hardcore scene. Kicking off with “Repeat Offender” their set was loaded with great songs Good Faith, On Show, It Hurts and Everywhere Now. Great set and big things are ahead for these lads in 2027.
From Boise, Idaho was what has been touted as one of their finest going by the name Ingrown. Making their first appearance in Adelaide there was no bullshit, no messing about, no fanfare, just plough through the next forty minutes or so in uncompromising fashion. It was unapologetically loud! Menacing bass, thunderous double kick drumming and an inimitable vocal delivery from vocalist and guitarist Ross Hansen. With a brief hello there was no time for small talk cracking on with. Hang on to your hat as it was a wild ride and with the crowd amping up the chaos and mayhem was unfolding. There is plenty of heavy artillery in the armoury with the likes of Enemy, Bullet, Shell and Cold Steel standing out. With my hat blown off I’d say this was a pretty decent introduction to the faithful of Adelaide.
The highly anticipated return of Fleshwater to Adelaide was a resounding success. Fleshwater are unique and frequently described under the moniker of “grungegaze” blending shoegaze, alt-rock, post-hardcore and grunge. It’s a formula that just works initially forming as a side project by the members of hardcore/ metalcore outfit Vein.fm being Anthony DiDio and Matt Wood then later adding vocalist Marisa Shirar. Talking about each song individually doesn’t do them justice as peeling back the layers shows so much technical detail and parts that are mind blowing. Being in awe of what they do it was easy to get lost in it as their music shifts from the heavy, crushing, distorted instrumentation to something more dreamy, and ethereal with the vocal dynamic between DiDio and Shirar is something to behold. The first song Raging Storm was intense and attack on the senses. Ear plugs were useless at this point.
Green Street, Jetpack and Linda Claire stoked the fire to rev the crowd and bring them in to the show. The preamble to what the f#%! was said saw DiDio get straight to the point saying “we’re no fucking around, put your phone away, we’re defining a vibe, let’s do this”. The statement of intent was like unleashing the hounds with the most ferocious circle pit and wall of death I have seen for some time in this very venue. So much so it felt like the floor was moving. The crowd response is everything you’d hope would be in a live performance DVD. It was spectacular!
It was of no surprise that the set list was dominated by songs from 2000: In Search Of The Endless Sky and a small slice of We’re Not Here To Be Loved. There were plenty of good moments including the likes of Be Your Best, Jerome Town, Endless Sky and show closer Standalone. With a promise to be back we eagerly await what is next.
Live Review By Rob Lyon