Some of Adelaide’s finest talents invaded the Northcote Social Club on a Sunday afternoon, bringing a little light to an otherwise dreary Sunday afternoon.
Melbourne’s sole representative for the day opened proceedings, with Banoffee, a.k.a Martha Brown, bringing her electronic-infused pop with the aid of a keyboard and backing track.
With a set that included covers of Drake and Frank Ocean, Brown was at her best when her vocals were allowed to shine, but they were at times lost amongst the backing track and heavy distortion.
Finishing the set by dedicating ‘Ninja’ to her nine-year-old niece who could finally attend the afternoon show, Banoffee showed potential that will hopefully be utilized on further recordings.
Naomi Keyte’s set served as the launch for the seven-track EP Edge Of Morning, and the wonderful vocals on display no doubt ensured that many in attendance would go on to purchase it.
Keyte performed alone on stage, accompanied only by an electric guitar, and often wandered around stage when not offering vocals.
The sound was often sparse, but her voice is definitely strong enough to carry the songs, and the intriguing use of loops added another layer to the performance, with Keyte creating intricate harmonies before everyone’s eyes, as well as improvised percussion from hitting her guitar or the mic.
These loops were best utilized on ‘Water On The Road’, while ‘Glass Bottles’ best combined Keyte’s stunning voice and vulnerable lyrics.
Before finishing the set with ‘Balance’, Keyte praised the “deadly quiet” crowd and announced that this would be her last gig in Australia for a while due to her relocation to Germany, and the soothing set proved that she will no doubt be missed.
Adelaide three-piece Swimming brought the relaxing afternoon show to an end with their quirky and eclectic brand of electronic pop, that’s impossible to pin down to any one genre.
With sisters Angela and Katie Schilling, and Sam Reynolds, switching instruments constantly throughout the set, the band were at their best when every member contributed vocals, deftly crafting three-part harmonies.
The all-too short set included two covers, including the second Frank Ocean interpretation of the day, but ‘Animals’ marked the moment when Swimming’s sound came together perfectly, an upbeat, dreamy song that features eclectic drumming and restrained guitars that allow the vocals to shine.
Two of Adelaide’s most promising acts, with a little help from a local, ensured that there weren’t many better ways to spend a relaxing Sunday afternoon.
