Ocean Sleeper American Tour at Goldfield Trading Post - Sacramento, CA

Despite their busy lives back home in Gippsland, Australia, frontman Karl Spiessl has organized Ocean Sleeper’s biggest American tour to date. On August 1, the band kicked things off in Sacramento—known for its rich music history and vibrant scene—sparking excitement among North American fans who had long awaited their arrival. As soon as you walk into the Goldfield Trading Post, you’re met with Karl and guitarist Stanley Liagourdis warmly greeting fans at the merch table before the show even begins. Ocean Sleeper is a four-piece band made up of Karl (vocals/screams), Ionei Heckenberg (vocals/guitar), Stanley (guitar), and Daniel "Steve" Stivens (drums).

The opening act was Garzi, an artist from Miami, FL, who brought raw emotion and undeniable presence to the stage. As the venue slowly filled, his music immediately connected with the early crowd, drawing people in even as they trickled through the doors. His vocals shifted effortlessly between melodic verses and powerful screams, capturing the emotional weight of each track and setting an intense, heartfelt tone. Garzi’s energy was contagious—he had the crowd clapping, moving, and fully engaged within minutes. During his song “Mess” featuring Kellin Quinn, he initiated a call-and-response that turned the room into a chorus, making everyone feel like part of the performance. It was more than just an opening set; it felt like a shared experience that set the emotional and energetic bar for the rest of the night.

Next up was Ocean Sleeper, greeted by an eager crowd already cheering before the band even stepped on stage. The band radiated joy throughout their set, performing fan favorites like “King of Nothing,” “Never the One,” and “Cold.” Reflecting on the experience, guitarist Ionei shared his reaction to the crowd’s energy: “It is blowing my mind. I could have cried, like, three or four times tonight. It was crazy.” His words captured just how much the overwhelming support meant to the band.

Karl kept the crowd fully engaged throughout the set. He knew exactly how to ignite a mosh pit, and at one point, a few fans even jumped on stage to stage-dive into the crowd. Karl also grabbed fans’ phones mid-recording to give them a quick point-of-view shot from the stage—returning them shortly after, to loud cheers and laughter.

The band’s energy never let up. From perfectly timed headbangs between the guitarists to drumstick tosses that landed right before a crushing breakdown, every moment felt tight and deliberate. Stanley’s high kicks and Ionei’s mid-set guitar spin added even more flair, turning the performance into a true spectacle of showmanship.

After such a phenomenal night, we asked the band what fans could expect from the rest of the tour. Karl shared, “We just want to play for some new people. There's people that have been waiting for us in America to play for a long time, and we just want to be back as much as possible, but it's been hard to get here, but we want to keep coming back.” He went on to reflect on the moment: “We've never toured outside of Australia before. You assume that there's people out there, you can see there's people around, but for them to actually come to the shows and then, like, go crazy—is such a great feeling.”

Ocean Sleeper is hitting the road hard this August, with shows nearly every day in cities like Dallas, Houston, Nashville, Greensboro, Atlanta, Cambridge, and many more.

Ocean Sleeper’s Sacramento debut was more than just the start of a tour—it was a powerful statement of intent. With profound performances, high-octane energy, and a genuine connection to their fans, the band proved they belong on stages far beyond their home in Australia. As they continue their run across the U.S. this August, one thing is certain: Ocean Sleeper isn’t just showing up—they’re leaving a mark. If this show was any preview, American audiences are in for something unforgettable.