Western Australian band Old Mervs returned to Melbourne on their How The Fark Are Ya tour.
In the past five years, Old Mervs have supported world-renowned acts like Liam Gallagher and The Wombats, all without ever releasing a full-sized album.
They’ve kept fans satiated and yet hungry for more with an array of singles and EPs and even placed in the Hottest 100 this year. The duo fulfilled a huge weekend’s worth of shows in Melbourne, playing Friday night at The Northcote Theatre and Saturday at the Northcote Social Club for an all-ages gig.
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Opening the night at the Northcote Theatre was Geelong-based duo Good Sniff performing an unbelievably loud and pumping set that blew the crowd away. This reviewer has seen Good Sniff on multiple occasions, from dive bars to the Dr. Martens store in Melbourne Central, and each time they build on previous highs, proving their skill and passion will continue to drive them further and further towards stardom.
Next, the West Australian act Fool Nelson mounted the stage to play their first-ever Victorian show. This three-piece has built a name for themselves with their signature brand of indie-grunge rock baked in with a whisper of nostalgia.
Having them open for Old Mervs was a great feat of programming. Their set was memorably jammed-packed with hi-jinx, such as the lead guitarist breaking a string just as his solo hit and him effortlessly changing guitar on stage with a roar from the audience. Their unique sound and performative style served the audience everything they could have wanted.
As the lights went off and the two best friends got on stage, the audience had no idea what was about to land. Old Mervs launched straight into their 2022 hit Be There with the packed venue singing in a loud chorus.
Lead singer David House remarked how special it was that they were able to release a song just a week prior, only to discover that everyone already knew all the lyrics. The hour-long set was jam-packed with fan favourites, from Cellphone to Wait Around and they added the song Honey to the setlist to surprise fans.
The audience filled the space from floor to the balcony creating one of the best environments I’ve seen a show in. The joint was filled with jorts and blond mullets, including two fans with some of the most outlandish bowl cuts that have walked the earth since The Beatles.
Old Mervs’ performance was truly fun, and it was obvious they were having a great time on stage together. The musical connection was strong and cohesive, and I am genuinely excited to see what’s next for the duo as they hinted at a large upcoming project in the works.
If you enjoy surf rock or indie music, you’ll love Old Mervs, and I wouldn’t be surprised if we see them on arena stages in the coming years.
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