Brisbane band Cub Scouts have been building a lot of momentum towards the end of this year, gaining plenty of exposure in Australia and abroad.
Their EP, Told You So has gained considerable airplay on the airwaves and also on college radio in the US. Considering all this the five-piece had a lot of expectations going into their headlining gig at the Toff, they’ve delivered in spades in terms of hype, but would that success be able to translate into a formidable live show?
Support act Phebe Starr had strong vocals, sounding like a darker, more haunting version of Kimbra with the looks of a young Sia. She was backed by a three-piece, all male ensemble though due to her type of sound she would definitely have benefitted from a bigger production.
Throughout her set there was the use of very heavy tribal beats with the drummer making the use of his floor toms (in the same ilk as the drummer from Florence and he Machine). Starr also made good use of creative, very catchy vocal loops.
Her cover of Stevie Knicks’ hit “Edge of Seventeen” got the crowd going, as only Stevie can, and with the vocal chops Starr possesses, she nailed it.
Her debut single “Alone With You” was a perfect closer to the set. A huge track that built towards a crescendo in the final chorus where the glorious wailing and ‘oohing’ take over causing all those in ears’ reach to incessantly swoon.
This was Phebe Starr’s first show in Melbourne and from what she displayed on the night can’t see it being her last.
Cub Scouts are a tight knit unit. The five piece just seem to be in tune with each other and it translates to a heck of a show. Their harmonies are delivered flawlessly (evident when they performed the track “Scream”) and as good as they sound on record, where they really shine is in a live setting, where the band’s bright and infectious personality really come out.
The disco ball on stage gave the set a high school prom atmosphere that added to the band’s young and exuberant enthusiasm when performing.
The pop brilliance and thumping pianos in the chorus of “Evie” had everyone’s hips shaking with vocalist Tim Nelson’s revealing after the performance the song was inspired by his loyal pet dog.
The title track off their EP, “Told You So” came up cracking live, especially in terms of Zoe Davis’ bassline and the sweet little breakdowns preceding the chorus. The song really does epitomise what Cub Scouts are all about as a band.
The quintet have become known for their covers of classic pop tracks and at the Toff they decided to perform a medley of some Destinys Child. It was the highlight of the night with so many booties shaking Beyonce herself would have been proud.
“Say My Name” with its funky guitar and piano parts kicked it off before leading into “Jumpin’” and finishing with the ultimate Bey’ song “Crazy In Love”.
Most young bands struggle to find their identity, but Cub Scouts really know their sound and show a maturity that’s beyond their years. 2013 is set to be a massive year for the Brisbane youngsters.
