Hipsters crowed into the cosy bandroom of Fitzroy’s Evelyn Hotel on Saturday night to catch a loaded lineup of local artists including Love Is Science Fiction, Actor/Model and Baseball. But it was the short set from headliners Kes Band that left many punters scratching their heads.
Love Is Science Fiction opened up proceedings and while they were playing to a small crowd, they did their best to make an impact. Watching the three piece perform was like watching two separate bands on stage. While guitarist and drummers Al and Steph played their backyardish tunes without any issues, frontman Joey displayed so much enthusiasm that you would swear he was the only one on stage. Joey opened the show standing in the crowd with his back facing the stage, climbed across an exposed beam and performed at least a dozen handstands during the band’s thirty-five minute performance. If anything the antics didn’t match up with the music – there was too much excitement to match up with Love Is Science Fiction’s lo-fi punk sounds. However, if the band is able find the right balance with these issues while adding a few more songs to their playlist, they will be someone more people pay attention to.
Actor/Model on the other hand are a band that more people should be paying attention to right now. Another three piece from Melbourne armed with guitars, drums and a Roland keyboard; this lo-fi indie pop group were spectacular in their simplicity. Reminiscent of Ben Gibbard’s work as The Postal Service, Ricky French’s vocals on tracks such as My Agent Says are as light as air-popped popcorn. While some comparisons can be made with Sonic Youth, Actor/Model’s music feels more structured while having as much mainstream appeal that an indie-pop band can have. Definitely one act to check out now before they blow up everywhere.
Much loved indie-punk collective Baseball were up third and truly were the headliner of the night. While drummer Evelyn Morris played leader behind her kit, introducing and kicking off songs, it was impossible not to have all eyes on frontman Cameron Potts. Dressed in a white singlet and footy shorts, he stood in what I’d have to define as a rock warriors pose – left leg forward, foot resting on amp; right leg back; violin perched on shoulder and intense look on face. While Morris complained about Potts screaming, the rest of the crowd ate up tracks such as Land Of Darkness, Land Of Dogs and Soft Boy Factory. Baseball’s manic sound easily provided the performance of night.
Headliners Kes Band put on the most surprising performance I’ve ever seen live. With the help of Baseball drummer Evelyn Morris; the band took the stage a few minutes before midnight and proceeded to play an extremely short five-song set before leaving without saying a word. While Kes’ own guitar work sounds even better live then off his albums (something shown off best during the performance of Owner Has Control), the brief set left the crowd confused and somewhat angry. If I was a fan of Kes Band going into this show I would feel cheated by such a short performance; if I was just discovering Kes Band for the first time I doubt I would bother again, fearing something similar occurring. A really disappointing end to the evening.
