Touring their debut album The Bowery, Sydney collective Firekites played to an eager Gangbusters audience at BAR 32. Not only did last Thursday night’s nice weather see that the Canberra music scene is back for summer. It also saw a break for this bar’s usual rock, grunge, and electro performances.

Sharing the stage (or to be more accurately speaking, sharing the floor) with the spectacular Firekites were two Canberra locals, Waterford and Voss. Both seemed to have quite a following on the night with many punters climbing over each other just to see these two acts.

Also supporting was Melbourne project, The Crayon Fields. Don’t be surprised by their preppy indie-look, they’ve got a biteful sound that you won’t be able to scratch off. The Crayon Fields may remind you of a less melancholy version of The Shins. Just less depressing in lyrical content, but the music and feel is fairly similar in it’s own uniqueness.

After a long wait and tune up, Firekites open their set with tracks present on the album such as the magical Last Ships, followed by Paris, Mirror Miracle and Same Suburb, Different Park. It even includes hypnotising instrumentals such as Skimming Rooftops and New Year Has Spoken.

The Bowery is a wonderful listen. It is definitely for those who prefer easy listening, as it is calming. To see these songs tracks played out live is just touching. Despite this minimal use of vocals in some songs, imagery and story telling was stronger than you’d imagine.

Guitars, bass, violin, keys and percussion seemed to converse with the audience telling the story together without the use of words. In this sense it was beautiful because everybody could take their own interpretation without having too much mixed meanings with words.

Firekites are divine, beautiful, and a talented bunch of individuals to make up a strong collective. Be sure to see them next time they soar back to Canberra.