As A Rival

As A Rival are a Melbourne alternative rock band built on energy and melody — the kind of live show that sticks with you long after the last note.
Blending surging riffs with anthemic hooks and emotionally driven songwriting, the band have spent over 15 years carving out their place in the Australian scene — refining a sound that hits hard without losing its heart.

Having recorded and worked alongside industry heavyweights like Adam Kasper and Tom Larkin, As A Rival have developed a polished, powerful sound that sits comfortably between modern alt-rock, punk energy, and melodic intensity.
But it’s live where everything clicks.

Across more than 100 shows throughout Australia, As A Rival have built a reputation for turning first-time listeners into lifelong fans — the kind of band people stumble into, stay for, and walk away from wondering why they weren’t already on their radar.

With a sound that cuts across heavy, indie, and punk lineups alike, the band consistently find themselves stepping onto bigger lineups — not just filling a slot, but elevating it.
At the centre of everything is a belief that has shaped the band from day one: The Only Way Out Is Together.
That philosophy runs through the music, the live shows, and the community that continues to grow around the band — a reminder that connection, resilience, and belonging matter just as much as the songs themselves.

Now building toward their fourth album, As A Rival continue to sharpen their live presence, grow their audience from the ground up, and prove why they're the band you weren't expecting — the one you remember.