It was the last Melbourne show before the quintet tried their hand on US soil, and boy they bring the noise!
Elizabeth Rose kicked things off with some jolty dance grooves as the incredible bass relentlessly thumped from The Toff’s main stage.
The solo artist has been doing extremely well on the scene, however it wasn’t her night and the early time slot matched with an almost empty venue proved it.
Cue band deuce as the floors began to flood with innocent youth finding shelter from the airy pre-weekend buzz found on the pavement below.
The duo duly coined Twinsy seriously needed to redo their sound check as backing tracks and vocals washed out the majority of their sound.
Even when they pulled out a blasting mash-up rendition of multi hit singles including Justice, and Michael Jackson’s well known crowd favorite “Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough”, as a band Twinsy, weren’t really pushing the right buttons.
But full credit to the mighty pair as they strummed, whacked, and basically played their hearts out for a show that wasn’t theirs.
Hickory-dickory-dock and the clock struck ten o’clock (or close enough). Welcome Gold Fields.
A long psychedelic instrumental build up filled The Toff with a mysterious atmosphere as the five-piece were nowhere to be seen.
When they finally arrived, the first track was as impressive sounding as any big beat band you’ll ever see. Dump truck loads of power being a key on-stage attribute; but unfortunately greeted by a surprisingly unresponsive crowd.
Not even the matching black Ts could persuade the punters to cut some metaphorical shapes.
But with two energized percussionists and the full entourage in tow, it would be safe to assume the packed crowd was found dumbstruck with the utter brilliance Gold Fields were demonstrating on stage.
Holding themselves as a well rehearsed and experienced live show, it felt almost cruel to see the members confined to an indoor venue, and one could only imagine the uplifting response they would receive at festivals and events on the larger Melbourne scale; perhaps something to look forward to?
The back end of the set featured a killer sample from the famous trance track “Born Slippy”; originally performed by the old school English electronic act, Underworld.
Kept company by loud cries from the guitarist’s high bends and vocals that definitely hit the mark, the punters appreciated the effort with a storming round of applause.
The cover blew many minds that night and was definitely material you’d strap a custom-built-ear-molded chastity belt on for.
As the final number stumbled into gear with that all too familiar ‘chugga chugga chugga’ sound, the boys stuck to their four-by-four guns and were at it again.
With an obvious ‘housey’/DJ-like soundscape, it was impressive to see how the Ballarat quintet brought it to life; a few musicians along with their musical making machines shooting into light speed.
A well-deserved applause is, thankfully, awarded to the venue for supplying some fantastic all-round mixing by the end of the night.
One can only look forward to the band’s return to Melbourne shores as the lads look to tear some shit up in the States – good luck to them!
