For Sydney metalcore heavyweights Polaris, 2025 is shaping up to be another major year.
Following a whirlwind period that saw them embark on a massive regional Australian tour, perform with Bring Me the Horizon in Mexico, and release their deeply personal album Fatalism, they’re now gearing up to hit the stage at Knotfest Australia.
Sharing the lineup with metal juggernauts like Slipknot and A Day to Remember, Polaris’ inclusion in the festival marks a significant milestone in their already impressive career.
Vocalist Jamie Hails still seems to be wrapping his head around it all. “To be a part of this festival and this incredible lineup – it’s truly something special,” he says. “It’s definitely going to go down in the history books, not just for everyone, but for us as Polaris. These shows are going to mean so much.”
Since its Australian debut in 2023, Knotfest has quickly cemented itself as one of the most anticipated heavy music events in the country.
For Polaris, playing Knotfest isn’t just another gig – it’s a moment of recognition, a sign that their years of grinding in the Australian heavy scene have paid off. Hails is particularly excited to see how the festival experience unfolds. “I’ve always wondered, ‘Is Knotfest ever going to come to Australia?’ And now that it has, I just want to go out and experience it not just as a performer, but as a fan.”
Polaris’ inclusion in Knotfest Australia also reunites them with longtime friends and fellow Australian metalcore band In Hearts Wake. Hails is particularly keen to share the stage with them again. “It’s going to be great. I haven’t seen those guys in a few years, so it’ll be good to catch up and see them perform their newer material live,” he says. “The last time we played together was on their [In Hearts Wake’s fourth studio album] Ark tour back in 2017, so this is long overdue.”
Both bands have grown exponentially over the years, carving out their own legacies in the Australian heavy music landscape. Hails recalls the intensity of their past collaborations. “I remember back when we were just getting started, those guys took us under their wing. We learned a lot from them about how to navigate this industry, and now here we are, playing a festival like Knotfest together. It’s surreal.”
Polaris’ meteoric rise has taken them across the world, but no show was more of a ‘pinch me’ moment than their aforementioned performance supporting Bring Me the Horizon. The incredible experience, however, almost didn’t happen. “We missed our flight for the very first time in Polaris touring history,” Hails laughs. “Our plane leaving Sydney was delayed, and we arrived in Dallas five minutes too late to make our connection to Mexico City.”
What followed was a stressful scramble to find another way to the show. “We finally got to Mexico at 1am on the day of the show, running on barely any sleep, and it was straight into show mode. But once we hit the stage, all that stress just melted away,” he recalls. “The energy from that crowd was unreal. We’ve never played a first-time show in a country to that many people before. It was absolutely worth all the chaos.”
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For Polaris, Knotfest is more than just another stop on their tour calendar – it’s a chance to celebrate the Australian heavy music scene on a global stage. “Having an event like Knotfest come to Australia is huge. It validates what we’ve been doing here for years and gives bands like us a platform to show the world what we can do,” Hails says.
That platform extends to fans as well. “I love being out in the crowd, just experiencing a festival like a fan would. Seeing the energy, the passion—it reminds me why we do this in the first place,” he adds.
Knotfest Australia is just the beginning of another huge year ahead for Polaris. After wrapping up the festival, they’re set to embark on a European festival run, hitting legendary events like Rock am Ring and Rock im Park in Germany. While new music is still in its early stages, the band are starting to get back in writing mode. “We’re just slowly getting into that frame of mind again. We’ll see how the year pans out,” Hails teases.
Despite their packed schedule, Hails remains focused on what matters most: the fans. “Touring, recording, writing – it’s all amazing, but at the end of the day, it’s about connecting with the people who support us,” he says. “That’s what keeps us going.”
For now, all eyes are on Knotfest Australia. Hails is looking forward to sharing the experience with old friends, including In Hearts Wake, and taking in the energy of the festival crowd: “I can’t wait to see what the fans bring to these shows. Australian heavy music fans are some of the best in the world, and I have no doubt Knotfest is going to be absolutely insane.”
Find out more information about Knotfest Australia here.
