Even an hour-long blackout couldn’t put a dampener on the closing night of The Good Hustle Music Saloon at the über-cool Shadow Electric cinema and bar in Abbotsford Convent.
Helping to send off the pop-up music venue were young electro-pop duo Collarbones, and the ever-dancey and energetic World’s End Press, who both delivered impressive sets that were wonderfully complemented by the cosy and intimate surroundings.
Collarbones seamlessly mix together minimal electronica with more explosive moments, and the talented duo move at one with the music, creating unbridled feelings of energy that are immediately translated into the live songs and shared by the crowd.
Playing mostly tracks from their sophomore album Die Young, both ‘Losing’ and ‘Too Much’ stand-out in the regrettably short set.
While Marcus Whale is mostly hunched over a laptop, singer Travis Cook moves freely on the stage, with his infectious dancing motivating the audience’s own moves.
After taking multiple votes from the crowd, Cook was finally convinced to play a new track, but unfortunately the power-outage struck midway through, cruelly cutting Collarbones’ set short.
The pair valiantly tried to continue, instigating a short-lived a capella rendition of ‘Jenny From The Block’, before hopefully asking if anyone knew how to play an acoustic instrument.
It soon became clear however, that the power wouldn’t be returning any time soon.
Luckily, the Shadow Electric bar was still operating, as was the increasingly popular table tennis table; and although shrouded in darkness, the busy crowd were able to keep themselves occupied, proving that the venue is still cool even without electricity.
The crowd that stuck around, which was definitely the majority, were continually updated on the situation and remained in high spirits, a testament to the organisation of the series of Good Hustle music events as a whole.
After over an hour, power was finally restored, and World’s End Press quickly took to the stage, thanked the audience for their patience, and launched into an upbeat, feel-good set of 80s-infused synth pop sounds.
The Melbourne foursome has quickly garnered a reputation for their live shows, and from the very beginning of the set it becomes obvious why.
Complemented by subtle and intriguing projections on a window behind the stage, and quite impressive lighting for a pop-up venue, World’s End Press displayed a polished, refined 45-minute long set that featured extended jams and some pretty neat dance moves from the band members.
Featuring driving bass lines, jittery guitar solos, and frontman John Parkinson’s powerful, soaring voice, the set is exactly what was needed after spending an hour in darkness.
‘Second Day Uptown’ got the crowd moving early on, and the small venue seemed well suited to the group’s groove-infested tunes, creating the atmosphere of seeing the band at a tiny house-party.
After Parkinson ventures into the sweaty crowd for the final song, the set is over far too soon, as is The Good Hustle series of shows, which will hopefully be returning bigger and better next year (or sooner – fingers crossed).
