The first night of the 78 Saab’s Two Night Stand saw a cramped Hopetoun play host to some beautiful music, as three of the most exciting Sydney bands strutted their stuff for a couple of hours of unabashed indie pop.

Sister Jane, a five-piece consisting of members from Belles Will Ring and Late Night Sounds, are described by organ/vocalist Lauren Crew as “high energy psychedelic blues rock.” Hailing from the Blue Mountains, their music is like The Transplants meets David Bowie; a rhythmic and catchy fusion.

Joining 78 Saab on both dates of the double header, Richard In Your Mind seem to be a different sort of band in the Sydney indie scene, definitely worth checking out. Playing mostly unobtrusive pop, they have the potential to be both incredibly catchy and popular, or psychedelic and hipster. If they were more accessible to their audience, they could become a mainstream sweetheart, but as it is, the music sits right on the edge of challenging and enjoyable in a place that few support bands fill.

When 78 Saab took the thoroughly warmed stage, the crowd was ready for the home-town headliners to play some no nonsense indie pop. Always a pleasure to watch, the Saab played a set that featured a prime selection of recently released material, nostalgic tunes and tracks sent into the big bad world, riding the back of their third studio offering The Bells Line.

The full, appreciative crowd listened as 78 Saab were both drum heavy and beautifully orchestrated. The new songs seemed to mirror the high level pop sensibilities of their previous work, but it was early tracks No Illusions and Beat of Your Drum that were the definite highlights of the night. Melodic tunes coupled with crackling vocals to create piercing songs that were smile-inducing and incredibly nostalgic.

With beautiful lights and shades that you could feel under your skin, it’s hard to say anything negative about one of Australia’s most underappreciated bands. And with the four-piece seemingly getting better and better even after a good decade slogging it out, I suggest you keep your ear to the ground and your eyes on the gig guide. Be there when they next bring their atmospheric Aussie rock to a stage near you.