Cloud Nothings brought their no holds barred live show to a packed Ding Dong Lounge for one of two Laneway Festival sideshows.
Brisbane’s Violent Soho opened the night, playing an energetic set that included some new material to an already busy and bustling crowd.
Frontman Luke Boerdam’s screamed vocals matched the backdrop perfectly, and by the set’s conclusion, the impressively large crowd was more than ready for the Cleveland quartet.
After a short break, the four-piece – led by 22-year-old Dylan Baldi – strode onto the small stage, and if you thought Cloud Nothings were loud on the new record, just wait until you’ve seen them live.
Baldi casually introduced the band by saying, “Hey guys, we’re called Cloud Nothings. We’re gonna play a song”, before launching into Attack On Memory standout ‘Fall In’.
From the very first, raspy vocals it’s obvious that the band’s music becomes even heavier in the flesh, with Baldi’s strained voice almost drowned out amongst the pounding drums and powerful guitars.
An extended jam was slowly merged into the instrumental ‘Separation’ that saw every member completely losing it with the music, along with the crowd.
Although every song is transformed into a louder, at times abrasive, version of itself, the catchy hooks and melodic aspects, seen on the likes of ‘Stay Useless’ and ‘Our Plans’, are still retained in some form; somehow managing to shine through the fuzzy feedback.
Baldi was a quiet frontman, with banter reduced to a muttered ‘thanks’ after every song and long hair constantly masking his face, but he more than made up for this with his vocal performance. With hoarse, growling vocals, it’s obvious he’s giving his absolute all with every word sung; at times angry, at others despairing.
Ding Dong proved to be the perfect venue for Cloud Nothings, with the sweaty, intimate surroundings creating a unique atmosphere. The front portion of the crowd resembled a rowdy mosh pit for most of the night, and both the band and the hot masses seemed to feed off the others’ energy that they exuded in droves.
‘Wasted Days’ proved to be the centerpiece of the night. Bordering on 20 minutes, the extended version took up a large portion of the set, but if the majority of those in attendance had their way, it never would have stopped.
The cathartic scream of “I thought I would / be more than this” is echoed by the whole room, until the song is reduced to a solitary droning bass note. This gradually built into a fully-fledged, 15 minute jam that allowed every member to showcase their immense talents.
Playing every song off 2012’s Attack On Memory, the performance proved just how good an album it is, with not one song falling short or failing to capture the full attention of the crowd.
Baldi also unveiled an exciting new song, that although still resembling much of the other material of the night, had its own distinct sound that made it obviously not an Attack On Memory track.
Album opener ‘No Future/No Past’ served as set-closer, and the howling title was drilled into the crowd by its conclusion.
Although the barely more than 45 minute set was relatively short for an international headline act, after playing every song on their newest album, and even a new song, there really wasn’t much left for Cloud Nothings to play.
Any older material from Dylan Baldi’s lo-fi, pop past would have been completely out of place at this sort of show, and the short set allowed there to not be any quiet or dull moments.
With every throbbing bass note, screamed vocal, thrashing guitar, and pounding drums, Cloud Nothings proved that they are an accomplished and thoroughly entertaining live act that’s not to be missed.
