Lineup pairings can be a tricky thing. When different acts on one bill are spread out across genres, the hope is that a variety of fans will be in attendance. Yet these bills run the risk of drawing confused looks from patrons, as their allegiances can be quite staunch at times. Thankfully, Liberty Social’s readily-available supply of cheap alcohol assuaged any of these fears, and the whole evening turned into a memorable, if not memorably sloppy one.
As perennial good-time bangers UV Race crowded onto the smallish Liberty Social stage, anticipation amongst the hipster faithful was at a high. Ebullient frontman Marcus Rechsteiner quickly disrobed to show off his fresh tattoo; as he screamed and wiggled his way through cuts from the band’s two full-lengths (it’s a shame their upcoming split LP with Eddy Current Suppression Ring wasn’t yet available). Rechsteiner looked akin to Fucked Up frontman Damian Abraham. Like Abraham and Fucked Up, Rechsteiner and UV Race adapt to every stage incredibly well. After recent gigs at Yah Yah’s and The Grace Darling, the band’s frantic punk still (and will likely always) maintain a contagious pull, as evidenced by the crowd almost falling over themselves to get that one last dance move in. Wherever UV Race goes, a maddening party ensues.
Even though it was their night, as the band celebrated the release of their debut LP Big Time, Bitch Prefect still had big shoes to fill. And they responded as only they could; their casual, heart-warming pop took on an efficient, streamlined approach. While it was the antithesis to the blitzkrieg approach of the openers, Bitch Prefect attempted to lure the hyped-up crowd with their subtleties. And it worked.
Holiday In America, one of the band’s earlier hits, brought smiles to most of the crowd, but the band continued with little fanfare, instead relying on the strength of their well-written songs to keep the evening afloat. Lead singer Scott O’Hara’s honest tales of woe may not be the best kind of music to crush tins of lager to, but it gave this Friday night a much-needed introspective twist.
Bad Decisions, the single from Big Time, finishes the night. It’s all but a given that many in the crowd would be enjoying the song on record throughout the rest of the weekend.
BY JOSHUA KLOKE
LOVED: That the experiment worked. These two bands complimented each other rather well.
HATED: Not being able to find Lachlan. Where were ya buddy?
DRANK: My fair share.
