With O’Week activities coming to end as UniSA students ready themselves for the start of the University year it was the ideal time to sink a few brews, pick up and take in some great live music.

Hats of to O’Ball organisers for taking a punt on a very diverse range of bands from You Am I to The Herd to The Hard Ons and local lads The City Riots. Probably what let this event down was the promotion of it (especially to You Am I fans) to those outside of UniSA.

Parking out the back and seeing a lack of cars meant one of two things. Either, the masses were going to get stonkers tonight or noone was going to turn up. It is a worry when security staff didn’t ask for tickets hoping punters would make up the shortfall at the bar. Nevertheless, this show was fantastic and I had a blast.

First up was local band The City Riots and boy oh boy these lads are an exciting prospect. 2009 will and should be massive year especially now that they’re signed to a New Jersey Management Company. Burning Me Out has so many great tunes and the lads are really tight and gig hardened.

The Hard Ons are one of those bands you just have to see even for the comical or novelty value (no disrespect). They play in the right spirit that any band playing a festival or multi-act line up should. Their sound wasn’t perfect early on and even Blackie suggested “once we’ve got our sound sorted we’ll do something about our balls”.

Even though their set was lost on most punters who really didn’t know what they were witnessing, I thought they were great – loud, hard and fast. There was a bit of tongue in cheek as Blackie thanked organisers for paying them seven grand to play this gig (not bad hey boys!) and that they would play hard so they could get their Cash Converters sponsorship.

Next up was The Herd and it seemed to take an eternity to plug in their laptops and other gizmos. I’ve heard the stories as to how good they are live and tonight was no exception. The music lifted the roof off the joint and got a lot people up and moving around down on to the dance floor. They have some great songs with We Can’t Hear You, Under Pressure and the John Schumann cover__ I Was Only Nineteen__. Plenty of energy and all round good vibe is how I’ll remember their set.

The wait was nearly over for You Am I – premium vintage rock – œn roll! Just when you thought you’d seen their best they up the ante again. For what might have been considered as a warm up show for You Am I you’d hardly know by the way they played. The set featured largely the tunes off Dilettantes plus a few other surprises.

Opening to the big fat bass lines and thumping drum lines of Disappearing You Am I were on – buckle up your sandals, sing about the sea, we’re in love with rock – œn roll!!! Beau Geste follows and what a ripper it was despite a few minor technical issues. Tim mentioned “This is how I play a dance song where I come from in Venezuela” and proceeded with Frightfully Moderne.

It was great to hear a golden oldie Soldiers as Tim said “this one was written in 1867”. From here it was Gunslingers, Wankers,_ It Ain’t Funny How We Don’t Talk Anymore_ and A Nervous Kid. The magic moment of the set was a reworked version of Heavy Heart. It wasn’t played for the sake of it, or just because it’s a fan favourite but Tim played it like he really meant it.

Erasmus and Berlin Chair were played with much gusto and Trike made a welcome return to the live arena. To finish off, new single Givin’ Up And Getting’ Fat and How Much Is Enough brought their main set to a close. The fans started chanting for more and they returned with the barnstorming The Clash cover London Calling then Get Up. The night closed out with a slightly slower number from Dilettantes by way of The Piano Up The Tree. Great set from Australia’s best live band and I can’t wait to hear another new album later this year.

A top night – a shame there weren’t more people there to enjoy it.

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