So it’s been two weeks since the last official Save FBi gig brought in the punters to party hard for the sake of community radio’s survival, with most thinking that train had come and gone (at time of writing, FBi had officially been deemed “saved”). The term – œall ages’ usually puts people off immediately. Asking any young Sydneysider to wake up before 2pm after a Saturday night is just ridiculous. Hence, factoring in all of this, this gig was expectedly low on numbers.

What was on show was a completely different vibe for the Annandale Hotel. Gone was the stench of beer, overcrowding and recognisably sticky floor. In was a nice smell somewhere between a sunny day and incense and families with infants in tow (bringing new meaning to me to the term “too old for this”). Unfortunately I miss Sierra Fin. When I ask around, it appears they impressed.

The Bennisons are on stage as I come in and have an average age of fourteen, at least, upon inspection. The crowd (sharing roughly the same average age) are flailing and dancing manically to their Libertines-inspired sound. I’m reminded of the positives of these types of gigs: bands that usually can’t get a gig because they’re too young to play pubs or too busy with high school. The Bennisons are tight-knit and emotionally-fuelled. I could do the usual “watch this space, big in a few years” spiel, but by now I guess you get the point.

Having won Unearthed High, supported the likes of The Grates and Grinspoon, had a name change and a merchandise line designed by Billabong, it’s easy to think that Tom Ugly are already past the “big in a few years” station. Whilst they hold an admirable amount of skill – the vocalist Tom Ugly’s strong growl (not to mention his mesmerising stage presence) is testament to this – it still sounds like they are trying to find their niche. Songs vary from synth ditties to guitar jams but they all feel half-baked, like ideas tossed out at a whim. They have to really create a sound of their own to live up to the promises they make to their audience, or else they may well be left on the wayside. Credit to Tom for the quote of the afternoon: “Who here really feels the sunlight? It just doesn’t feel right.” Kudos to that.

Cloud Control, playing to easily the largest crowd of the night, officially wins on the “average age” stakes. Nevertheless, their twee pop seems perfectly fitted for afternoon kids’ parties in vacated pubs on sunny days, dancing around and revving up a crowd of devotees. With a strong badge-wearing fan club taking up the front section of the crowd, it’s clear these guys are going places. The crowd’s positive reaction illustrates that perfectly. It’s on this happy note that I leave the Annandale, probably for the first time during a sunny afternoon, for what was a surprisingly pleasant day out.