Opening proceedings for Cloud Control’s headline show at The Corner was indie songstress Ali Barter, who commanded the slowly-filling venue with her emotionally-charged ballads.
With a simple stage setup consisting purely of herself and a guitar, there’s nothing to distract from Barter’s enthralling talent. Her impressive vocals at times drift gently over her acoustic plucking, and at others slice through the air in effortless moments of crescendo.
In a regrettably short 30 minute set, the Melbourne local sifts through last year’s EP, Trip, before testing out a new unfinished song which seemed to follow in the footsteps of her previous acoustic stylings. She also squeezes in a cover of the Foo Fighters’ ‘Tired Of You’ after an endearing anecdote about her childhood obsession with Dave Grohl.
Up next were dual female vocalists trio Bloods, kicking things up a notch sound-wise with an energetic set of bratty garage rock.
Playing a series of snappy two-minute tracks, it was enough to start a few outbreaks of dancing in a crowd slowly beginning to resemble the bolded “SOLD OUT” sign outside. Ending their set with current single ‘Back To You’, Bloods’ contagious sound acted as a great support slot leaving everyone amped and salivating for the main act of the night.
As the mumbled whispers grew louder in front of the drawn curtain, before erupting into frenzied cheers when it was finally pulled back, it was abundantly clear Cloud Control have been sorely missed.
And rightly so – it’s been three years between albums for the now London-based Blue Mountains band. It meant there was a special buzz amongst the sardined punters piling into the Corner to catch this special album preview show for their upcoming release, Dream Cave.
The set kicked off with an unnamed slice from the forthcoming sophomore record. It started off with a haunting three-part humming harmony before growing into a heavier brand of rock with bold instrumentals including an impressive guitar solo breakdown – noticeably different to Cloud Control’s folk-tinged melodies of old.
“We’ll play an old song so you don’t get lost in the new stuff. It’s scary out there, I tell ‘ya,” jokes lead singer Alister Wright, making it clear tonight wouldn’t just be an album promo.
In fact, overall, there were more tracks appearing from 2010’s magnificent debut, Bliss Release, which each provided brilliant doses of smile-inducing nostalgia.
The first flashback, ‘This Is What I Said’, immediately ignited a series of cheers and whistles when its summery guitar melody trickled out from Wright’s guitar. With punters dancing and shouting back the chorus line (“Can you feel the tangible chill?”), the joyous vibe in the close-knit band room was indeed already magnetic.
“It’s good to hear you guys, too! You sing way better than Sydney last week,” chirped Wright, beaming into the adoring crowd who relish in his compliments. It’s abundantly clear this four-piece are equally excited about their own return.
A familiarly slow, single drum kick pulsates through the timber floor signalling one of the troupe’s most popular songs – the tribal anthem ‘Gold Canary’. Providing the first of many rapturous sing-along moments of the night, it mixed in a verse from ‘Peppers’ by the Butthole Surfers before coming back for a final, all-encompassing chorus.
Other old favourites, ‘There’s Nothing In The Water We Can’t Fight’, ‘Meditation Song #2’ and ‘Ghost Story’ all had the same gleeful effect.
“We have a setlist here and we’ve already broken the rules,” says a laughing Wright as he holds up the accused piece of paper, realising they’ve perhaps gone a little off-track with their old material – not that anyone was complaining – before continuing with some more glimpses from the much-anticipated Dream Cave.
The down-tempo ‘Promises’ featured a keyboard line reminiscent of Grizzly Bear’s ‘Two Weeks’, another impressive guitar solo and more trademark vocal play between Wright and Heidi Lenffer, whilst the infectious ‘Happy Birthday’ was reassurance they haven’t lost any of their blissful indie pop sensibilities.
Current single ‘Dojo Rising’ already seems to have earned its place in the heart of fans, and the eponymous, heart-felt ‘Dream Cave’ encapsulated the band’s newly refined, stronger feel.
The most memorable sneak peak was fronted by Lenffer’s lone, gorgeous vocals. Here, they delved in electronica constructed by 80s-inspired swirling synths and digitally-altered overlays.
After fleeing the stage for an expected but appreciated encore, the night ended in ecstatic euphoria with ‘Buffalo Country’.
Thankfully, the comedown was cushioned when Wright happily confessed they will be returning for a show at The Forum in September after spending more time in their second home of the UK. It’s news that makes the house lights a little less blinding.
Judging from the handful of previewed tracks, Dream Cave is set to reach the incredibly high bar raised by their glistening debut. They’re still the same band, but this time around they’re bolstered by experience, confidence and sonic refinement.
Cloud Control’s flawless performance only made the countdown for their return even more gruelling, as we now know the magic in store for us on the other side.
