Amidst days of strange and fluctuating weather, it was nice to step out from the tram this past Friday evening into a pleasantly cool Northcote pub – the popular Northcote Social Club, no less. And, better still, an exciting line-up lay just minutes ahead, as punters filed in with interest.

Unfortunately, this reviewer owes Philadelphia Grand Jury an apology, hopelessly unable to catch their set. So, in the interest of fairness, and coverage, I decided to do the only thing I could: vox pop. And when it came to the self-described ‘indie, punk, soul’ Sydney outfit, words thrown around by the Northcote crowd soon after the conclusion of their set included ‘brilliant’, ‘awesome’, and even following supports Little Scout put in a good word (during their performance, no less). So it all sounds very promising, and only works to make me that little more disappointed that I missed out. The band treated fans to free copies of CDs after stepping out from the stage, endearing them to the Northcote crowd even further. It certainly looks like I’ll be keeping my ears and eyes out for these three guys in future.

Next up, Little Scout, an indie-pop four piece from Brisbane, vocals shared and interchanged between Patrick Elliot and Melissa Tickle. And they are, essentially, among of the fundamental components that, first of all, save the band from sliding into generic-pop obscurity, but the combination works so pleasantly well that you can’t help but enjoy it. Their voices are suited to each other, and their harmonies as fine as the Finn Brothers. Highlights for me included second of the night Festival , and Just Stay (one of first songs the band ever wrote together). They have a very stripped-back sort of approach to pop, and it really never gets too complicated. I suppose, on one hand, one might praise them for their consistency and their distinct sense of direction with their music. I worry for them, however, that to audiences, the sum of it all simply won’t be terribly exciting. Yes, its nice enough, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing, and on occasions – though with obviously great potential – songs, such as opener Paper Aeroplanes failed to go anywhere.

Belles Will Ring are welcomed to the stage, and they dive right into their own brand of brooding psychadelia. It’s a noticeably heavier, guitar-driven approach, and a vast departure from the likes of Little Scout. The band played newer material from their seven-track mini album Broader Than Broadway, and older songs from debut Mood Patterns (inlcuding lead track, The Coldest Heart), as well as their ‘very oldest song’ they had conceived as Belles Will Ring (a night for in-band nostalgia, it seems). Honestly, I listen to this, and I feel like I’m in a western – which, above all, is a credit to them and their exceptional ability to set a distinct mood and landscape with their sound. That really only works when everything comes together just right. And, in a matter of words, it did. Their cohesion as a band is most impressive, playing a notably tight set from start to finish. As far as comparisons go, I liken Belles Will Ring to Fleet Foxes, should the Seattle five-piece ever renounce their baroque-pop brilliance, plug in, and rock out. And for anyone who’s a big fan of The Dandy Warhols’ acclaimed release Thirteen Tales From Urban Bohemia, then this band is definitely for you. Though the Belles lack of variation from song to song had me occasionally craving something new. But, as a band with what is, without doubt, a bright future, all in all, they failed to disappoint. Their final song, Mad Love , was definitely a treat live and the highlight of the evening, and like Little Scout, I suggest you check out Belles Will Ring when they return.

It seems with each week that passes, my faith in the in local music scene increases exponentially. Its with these sentiments that you may draw your conclusions as to this past Friday evening at the Northcote Social Club. A top night out.