This Dan Watt character sure knows how to host a party – punters would be forgiven for getting drunk and accidentally sleeping through work the next day, as this mid-week get together had all the characteristics of a slammin’ Saturday night shindig. 8.45pm was a little early to see the room busy and bustling (as it did get later on) but Clavians delivered a fierce set of angular rock with both a jagged edge and fluid rhythmic grind despite the fact.
Next up with a high number of patterned shirts gracing the stage were The Grand Rapids, who curated their visual projections to perfection. Combined with well executed songs that were full and lush sounding, Grand Rapids had the audience captivated with their psych-rock experience.
If anyone had been lulled into some sort of psychedelic dreamscape Mesa Cosa were prepared to break through as many dream levels as needed to jolt you back to earth. This band are serious contenders forthe best party act in Melbourne and halfway through their set guitars are broken, there is a harem of girls grinding their hips seductively and the floor is slippery with beer. As their set comes to a close with Diablo, tambourines and guitars are being smashed together like two Barbie dolls being forced to copulate by a 7-year-old girl, lead singer Pablo is crawling around on his belly whilst still managing to play guitar and everyone’s blood is rushing.
After the debauchery of Mesa Cosa, Atolls’ ’90s fuzz pop meets grunge feels heavy on the pop side and though the songs are excellently honed, at first it seems debatable whether the crowd is quite ready to settle down. Atolls do win the crowds affections in a short amount of time however, which is testament to their song writing skills. It’s heartening to see all of tonight’s bands, so vastly different in sound and aesthetic received with the equal amounts of respect and admiration that they deserve.
BY KRYSTAL MAYNARD
LOVED: Mesa Cosa’s tambourine and guitar sex party.
HATED: No hate here.
DRANK: Drinks.
