The conversational vibe of Oxford Art Factory on Thursday night was immediately interrupted when Children Collide arrived onstage. With the release of their debut album within an arm’s reach, industry and media folk gathered to see whether the hype around the Melbourne trio stands up.

Having made their mark over the last couple of years, Children Collide has earned a reputation of explosive and erratic live sets. Frontman Jonny Mackay instantly demanded the attention of everyone in attendance as they broke out into their boisterous style of pop-rock. Even if you didn’t like them, they could not be ignored. Combining Heath Crawley’s pounding bassline (which the sound engineer could not bring to a comfortable dynamic) with the harsh rasping voice of Mackay, over-distorted guitars and a swift beat, the band got lost in an ambiguous delirium.

Showcasing songs off their new album, The Long Now, their disorderly rock was notably highlighted in Skeleton Dance and Economy. Farewell Rocketship came with its own disclaimer; Mackay warning us that it was a first for them. Being quite a questionable time to take such a risk (considering who was present), it undeniably worked in their favour. This more melodic addition to their set was a climax of the evening. Their single Social Currency was left till the second half of their set. The familiarity gave the audience the punch they were hungry for, however it got lost in their musical frenzy and was hardly memorable.

The majority of Children Collide’s songs seem to be void of originality and depth; however their bizarre authority in their live sets makes up for their musical deficiencies. Having got their live show well under control, when they reach their musical summit Children Collide will be a force to be reckoned with.