In Hearts Wake, one of Australia’s leading metalcore bands, are hitting the road for an epic regional tour in support of their sixth studio album, Incarnation.
This tour not only showcases the band’s commitment to their regional roots but will take them from Far North Queensland to Tasmania as they warm up for Knotfest, Slipknot’s legendary heavy music festival. For In Hearts Wake, these two tours are more than just performances – they’re a celebration of connection, sustainability, and full-circle moments.
For frontman Jake Taylor, regional touring remains at the core of In Hearts Wake’s identity. “We live in a regional community ourselves,” he shares. “We understand what it is to receive a show and how much appreciation is involved. Regional towns have this grit and essence; they’re really the heart of the country.”
This deep connection to regional Australia stems from Taylor’s own experiences growing up. “My teenhood was just bands stopping in at our spot and how grateful we were. It’s shaped who we are as a band,” he reflects. Beyond the music, regional tours allow the band to explore and engage with communities in unique ways. “We get to ask locals, ‘Where’s the best place to swim or eat?’ Those moments become part of our highlight reels, more memorable than the shows themselves.”
In the band’s early days, they would sleep on fans’ floors to get around the country. Touring is a bit more comfortable these days – and they can bring friends on the road with them – but they haven’t forgotten their roots. “For the first five years of our original touring, there’d be eight of us in the van, and whoever could put us up would,” Taylor laughs. “Sometimes it was trundles and parties and paraphernalia you didn’t want to talk about. But we made lifelong friends that way.”
In Hearts Wake’s regional shows are also a testament to their commitment to sustainability. “It’s not something we advertise anymore, but all of our merchandise now is organic cotton or recycled materials,” Taylor explains. “We log all our petrol receipts, accommodations, and venues with a carbon consultant. At the end of the year, we offset 150% of our carbon footprint and plant a tree for every ticket sold.”
Fans attending these regional shows can look forward to a cathartic and powerful experience. Tracks from Incarnation like “Orphan” are tailor-made for live performance, offering a blend of chaos and connection. “Playing ‘Orphan’ live feels transformative,” Taylor shares. “There’s something about the audience when we play it; you see them change.”
Beyond the music, the band’s regional performances promise a visceral connection to their audience. With their grounded approach and passion for these towns, In Hearts Wake ensure that every show feels special and unique.
Fans can also take their experience to another level through the band’s VIP fan meet-and-greet bundles, some of which include a limited-edition tarot deck inspired by Incarnation. Each card in the deck ties into the album’s themes, offering fans a deeper, symbolic connection to the music. As Taylor explains, “There are 11 stories that needed to be told, and each card represents a symbolic archetype.”
Tracks like “Orphan” immediately aligned with their cards (in the case of “Orphan” it was “The Devil”) while others took longer to connect with a card, Taylor explains. Fans participating in these VIP experiences will have the chance to meet the band, get their decks signed, and explore the unique intersection of music and storytelling that Incarnation represents.
Knotfest, meanwhile, represents a monumental milestone for In Hearts Wake, giving them the opportunity to share the stage with Slipknot once again. Taylor’s memories of supporting Slipknot and Lamb of God on their 2016 Australian tour are still vivid almost a decade later, and it remains one of his favourite tour memories to date. “It was next level – security clearances, metal detectors, massive stage setups – it’s like a theatre production, or a circus, every night,” he recalls. “And then you’ve got Slipknot members watching your set from side stage. It was insane.”
Playing at Knotfest adds an even greater sense of significance. “It’s incredible to play at Slipknot’s actual festival,” Taylor says. “It feels like being part of something much bigger than just a tour.”
View this post on Instagram
The festival also offers Taylor and his bandmates a reunion with Polaris, another band with whom In Hearts Wake share a rich history. “It’s crazy to think they opened our tour in 2017, and now they’re headlining everywhere,” Taylor marvels. “They’ve grown so much. Seeing them at Knotfest feels like watching old friends thrive.”
Looking beyond Knotfest and their regional tour, In Hearts Wake’s journey will continue with a European summer run. Beyond that, Taylor is keeping mum about their plans, but rest assured it involves more music and more shows. For Taylor, it’s about keeping things fresh and meaningful. “The cycle doesn’t feel like a loop anymore. It feels different and new,” he says. “We’re doing it on our terms, and that makes all the difference.”
Find In Hearts Wake’s tour dates here.
