The Gaso was a place of celebration on Friday night and no one was excluded. The bandroom visually reflected the dreamy qualities that all three bands brought to the stage, with an elaborate lighting and smoke design, streamers and a travelling disposable camera making the venue feel like a kaleidoscopic Eden tucked away in the Inner North.
Tully on Tully kicked things off and frontwoman Natalie Foster’s immaculate vocals and expressive performance quickly attracted a crowd. Fresh from a trip overseas, the band were reminiscent of The Preatures, delivering a set of instantly engaging power-pop.
The night not only commemorated a release for Frida, but was the first ever show for new project Plastic. The five-piece made quite an impression with sweeping guitar lines, rich synths and soaring vocal melodies. They even employed a drum machine towards the end of the set. The nascent group traversed a range of moods across the set, from the deeply commiserative, euphoric lushness of the single So Numb, to moments of tender intensity.
Frida arrived oozing an exotic, mystical charm that didn’t disappear at any time during their set. The six-piece’s performance was almost as visual as it was musical, making this more theatrical than your average gig. This was the release of their two singles Slowly and I Want It All, both of which were played while their respective video clips screened on the stage wall. Slowly introduced a bold soundscape of poignant keys and anxious guitars, accompanied by Lewis Coleman’s honeyed vocals and Eilish Gilligan’s silvery, gliding voice. I Want It All came near the conclusion of the set, beginning with delicate, tender guitar picking and climaxing with rapid drums, whirling synths and fervent guitars. Frida left us all feeling hypnotised and downright moved.
BY JESS ZANONI
Loved: Twin Peaks.
Hated: Not having money to buy sweet sweet merch.
Drank: Coopers. God, why?
