Having supported the likes of Alt-J and The Rubens in 2012, as well as releasing an extremely accomplished debut EP, Melbourne five-piece New Gods were due for their first headline gig.
Early arrivals had the benefit of catching local pop songstress Jessica Says. Her ‘80s influenced electro pop highlighted her hauntingly beautiful voice and multi-instrumentalist skills on keys and cello.
Continuing to warm up the slowly filling Northcote Social Club was the eclectic glam pop of Montero. These guys were nothing if not captivating.
From the wildly theatrical drummer Cameron Potts to the melancholy lead guitar of Geoffrey O’Connor, and finally, the enthralling motions of frontman Ben Montero, their soft psychodelic rock jams took most by surprise.
It’s refreshing to see a local band so clearly set themselves apart from the current crop of indie at the moment and embrace the more dramatic aspects of pop.
As the curtains were closed in preparation for New Gods it was a packed house that awaited their arrival.
Clearly the decision to wait some time for their first headline slot had paid dividends. Considering the strength of their self-titled release and, of course, the personnel that makes up the band, the lack of space shouldn’t have come as a shock.
The light hair of frontman Dominic Byrne stood out against the dark backdrop, as he stated with an enthusiastic grin, “we’re playing for a while tonight, I hope you’re in for the long haul.”
As they eased from ‘70 Hours’ into ‘Razorblades’ it was immediately apparent how professional and talented these musicians are. Not only was the sound impeccable and filled the room perfectly, but the vocal harmonies really showed how well these five friends worked as a collective.
‘On Your Side’ was a clear crowd favourite thanks to high rotation on Triple J, but it was ‘Skipping Stone’ that really showcased New Gods’ appeal. Not only did it serve to emphasise the band’s abilities in the live setting with subtle dynamics, but also the inherit strength in these songs.
Byrne proclaimed 2012 as a “bullshit year” and that 2013 “was the year for those who had a shit 2012”.
Perhaps starting a brand new band full of talent and releasing a promising EP isn’t enough for the former Little Red frontman. What Byrne, and certainly the crowd, can now be sure of is that New Gods couldn’t have started the year in better fashion.
