The Hopetoun is a Sydney live music institution, and a great supporter of local bands, but what’s with the smell tonight? Under a cloud of sulphurous sewerage stench, Sydney’s Wifey were first on stage in an impressive and diverse Friday-night line up.

Winners of last year’s Sydney Uni band comp, Wifey romped through a country-infused rock pop set to launch their debut EP Salt Sugar Fat. Lead singer Andy Calvert’s vocals sound a bit like Conor Oberst and his lyrics draw on everything from Hinduism to Playstation 2. Their set was good fun, and they drew a large (in numbers, not girth) and enthusiastic audience, particularly for a first support act. Chapel was a particular highlight that stuck in my head for days.

Next up was Jessica Says (aka Jessica Venables), playing lo-fi, piano-based tracks from her debut album We Need To Talk. She was accompanied by a drummer and guitarist/violinist, but her music is far more pared-back than the rollicking Wifey. As a result, the crowd took a while to listen up. Those who did tune in to the petite Melbournian were rewarded with some really gorgeous and accomplished songs, although the piano sound was somewhat muddy. Sally Seltmann (New Buffalo) sings backing vocals on the album, and is a clear influence on Jessica’s style.

The Hoey crowd was in for another atmosphere change as Hugo Race and the True Spirit took the stage. Hugo Race, a founding member of Nick Cave’s The Bad Seeds, has been mainly based in Europe for the past 20 years. Back in Australia to launch his new album, The 53rd State, his set totally rocked out. The sound was sort of bluesy rock with electronic overtones and Hugo’s driving, deep vocals piecing it all together. Whatever it was, it was awesome. All the members of the True Spirit look like they’ve had rock – œn roll running through their veins for several decades (bass player Bryan Colechin’s MySpace page declares that he’s 100 years old) and the Hopetoun crowd was lapping it up.

All up, it was an excellent Friday night out from three really different (and really great) bands.