Having travelled the entire east coast of Australia to promote their debut EP Island, dream-pop quartet Evan & The Brave graced Melbourne for the final show of their all-encompassing tour.
With inclusive melodies and an engaging stage presence that revealed the entertaining prowess of the Sydney quartet, the band delivered an impressive performance in support of up and coming locals Lurch & Chief.
Surrounded by the taut confines of the Rochester Castle, well-travelled Canberra natives Fox & Fowl opened the evening with an attractive blend of buoyant melodies and warmly crafted soundscapes.
Amid the infectious personalities of the appealing five-piece, Matt Smail on percussion was profound, while Charlie Bligh was refined on bass in an unyielding display.
With proficient range and a distinguished rhythm, the band skipped through numerous tracks of lucid quality, with “Neon Colours” and impending single “Pilot” the main highlights.
Sydney pop-rock quartet High-Tails were up next with a versatile composition of their own.
With surging hooks and layered guitar reminiscent of an early Bombay Bicycle Club, the band motored through a polished assortment of healthy cadence and cultured tempo.
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Opening with “Bending Over Backwards” and “Terrible Day”, vocalist Nicholas Griffith slowly warmed into the set with numerous extended vocal harmonies, while guitarist Samuel Mason, bassist Felix Colman, and drummer Toby Davis reaffirmed the versatility of the group with an innovative cover of “Benny And The Jets”.
Renowned for their emphatic song structures and precise vocal arrangements, Evan & The Brave seized the stage for inventive opener “Lil Monster”, while the electro textures of follow-up “Rescuer” affirmed the creative vibes of the four-piece.
With accomplished instrumental interplay, the band continued through an absorbing set underlined by the engrossing vocals of frontman Daniel Mifsud and structured strings of new member Ross James from Lanterns.
Strengthened by a diverse array of swirling instrumentals and interchangeable harmonies, “I Heard You Say” was an expertly delivered cover of the Vivian Girls’ song, while lead-single “Island” was captivating in its melodious prowess.
With bassist Ben Rodgers providing expansive undertones, the band progressed further with “Something Starts” and the genre-skipping “Wind”, while drummer Yanya Boston was prominent during the fan favourite and set highlight “Stay This Way”.
Melbourne alternatives Lurch & Chief then rounded the evening with a dynamic collection of experimental melodies and charismatic jams.
With Hayden Somerville and Lili Hall skilfully sharing vocal duties, the six-piece seamlessly advanced through an abundant offering of balanced compositions.
Opening with an experimental jam, the set effortlessly developed from the surprisingly powerful “Wiped Out” to the more calculated “It’s Easy”.
With Alex Trevisan and Brendan Anderson on corresponding guitars and with Josh Lane providing bottomless tones on bass, the band steadily progressed through an accomplished performance that underlined the multifaceted strengths of the impressive locals.
Consummate on drums, Joel Rennison was assured on the hook infused “We Are The Same” and follow-up “Mother/Father”, while “On Your Own” was an emphatic conclusion that proficiently closed the impressive offering.
Having played their very first show in May 2012, Lurch & Chief look set to continue their meteoric rise, while Evan & The Brave showcased supreme potential in a night of undeniable quality.
