Popsters Babaganouj started proceedings a bit late but seemingly unruffled after the flight from their native Brisbane was delayed five hours. They worked their way through a quick and energetic set as the Gasometer’s new band room started filling up. It was a good showing from the band spliced together from old members of Yves Klein Blue, Go Violets and Inland Sea.
Melbourne locals I, a Man took to the stage with a promising swell of guitars that shimmered into set opener In Time. The rhythm section drove the song without overwhelming it, and allowed the dreamy twin guitars to glisten under the wistful vocals. Minivan followed in a similar vein, with ethereal harmonies from the band and more textured guitar work – a good encouragement to check out the newly-released clip. These guys sounded great as the set washed over the crowd; the interplay of the instruments and smart use of effects made for a sonic treat. They sound like your favourite shoegaze band jamming after listening to a krautrock compilation, or like Elbow and The War on Drugs trying to put together a Radiohead tribute. Special show, well impressed.
Split Secondswere in typically fine form. Out on the road to plug new single Delivery, they didn’t show fatigue after their foggy drive back from Sydney the night before. Their vocal harmonies suffered for being a bit low in the mix, but Sean Pollard’s bright baritone still cut through to deliver his odes to the Australian condition. Recent radio friendly unit shifter Halfway There got a grand response, and old favourites like Top Floor and All You Gotta Do had the crowd dancing, singing or both. This band has been flying under the radar a bit for some time, but with the gathering momentum of recent releases I’ll count myself lucky to have seen them a couple times when there was still room to have a boogie. Looking forward to their forthcoming EP.
BY JULIAN DOUGLAS
Loved: Two sleepless bands driving back from Sydney and putting on flawless shows.
Hated: Short sets – would’ve loved a later finishing time than 11.30pm.
Drank: Collingwood Draught.
