Despite Melbourne being home, Oh Pep!’s mega overseas touring schedule over the past year meant Friday night’s show was very special indeed. Baby Blue started the evening, playing to their largest crowd yet and supported by some very enthusiastic friends at the front. Their trundling surf pop featured simple rhythmsand nasal guitar tones, overlaid with the narratives of Rhea Caldwell. The standout moment was Soccer Ball, described by Caldwell as a song about a rather aggressive reaction form a man at the park after her dog bit his soccer ball.
Next up were Oh Pep! label mates, Big Smoke. They gave us drawn out ballads, sprawling guitar solos, and references to big love. The first song was met with appreciative applause, a response that carried on through their set. Frontman Adrian Slattery was charismatic, whilst bassist Alex O’Gorman’s face was a treat to watch, looking as though every new note was a surprise to him. At times itfelt clichéd, but they didn’t miss a note and buttered the crowd up for the headliners.
Oh Pep! launched straight into bittersweet ear worm The Race, and it became immediately apparent that they’re a different beast onstage to on record.Their hybrid of indie, folk and country sounded richer and more vibrant.
Olivia Hally (guitars and vocals) was confident and a little bit theatrical, whilst Pepita Emmerichs (mandolin and violin) was her beaming partner-in-good-tunes, peppering the set with sweet anecdotes about their respective mums and the duo’s friendship. They were joined by a drummer and bassist, but despite the lushness of their sound, the use of pre-recorded sounds suggests another member wouldn’t go astray.
Along with their recent EP, Living, Oh Pep! spent the evening performing songs from their upcoming record, due for release in July. They continue to grow as songwriters, and the new material sounded even better. A rollicking cover of Loudon Wainwright III’s Human Cannonball – which fit perfectly with their references to swimming – was an exciting addition, whilst the stillness during the heart-wrenching Tea, Milk and Honey showed how enchanted everyone was.
Hally, at one point, noted the influence of Big Smoke and Wainwright on her, saying that a good band “makes you smile and cry at the same time”. Well, Oh Pep!, you made this girl smile and cry at the same time.
Loved: Oh Pep! crockery. Hello new mug.
Hated: The cold air conditioning.
Drank: Water. *draws square in the air a la Uma Thurman*
BY ANGELA CHRISTIAN-WILKES
