If the recent spell of ridiculously hot weather hasn’t been enough to warm you up, tonight’s lineup at the Troubadour was designed to melt the coldest of hearts. Lion Island begin the night with an impressively accomplished performance that is worthy of their own headlining show. Fronted by the endearing vocals of Matthew Vale, the band features a plethora of instruments, including trumpet, violin, double bass, ukulele, bouzouki, organ, accordion, lots of tambourine, and my favourite of all auxiliary percussion: the cowbell. Having heard that they played Ric’s a few weeks ago, I wonder how the hell they managed to fit, as there is barely enough room for all nine members on the Troubadour stage tonight.

The band plays a gorgeous set of gypsy folk, inspired by the Middle-Eastern flavours of Beirut (both the band and the geographic location). The layering of instruments creates a wonderful texture, interwoven with beautifully measured vocals, and trumpet, violin and guitar solos. With so many members, it’s dangerously easy for each performer to exercise their own agenda; however, each knows their place in the band, and overall, the performance is remarkably cohesive. Lion Island are ones to watch out for in the future.

Next are Little Scout, who are among the newer darlings of the Brisbane indie pop scene. Main vocalist Melissa Tickle not only sports one of the best surnames but also the most beautifully clear voice I’ve heard in a long time. Her child-like vocals make the whole performance and she tugs at the heartstrings with songs of paper aeroplanes and love lost at the showgrounds. While vocals are sublime and the songs are adorable, I feel they don’t really connect with the audience until the very last song, the more upbeat Dead Loss, which gets some of the crowd moving.

A few things have changed since the last time I saw Cuthbert And The Night Walkers play. Firstly, they seem to have shrunk significantly in number, from something like eleven members at one point, to just six tonight. I suppose touring with so many people would have been a logistical nightmare, but I do miss the coordinated dance moves of the Night Walkers choir. They also appear to have stopped wearing costumes and their songs seem less frilly too. While the spectacle of their previous shows was enjoyable, this new direction is a welcome one as it is difficult to sustain that level of eccentricity without being passed off as a novelty act.

The band plays an array of new songs off their upcoming album, which seems to be rockier than the last while still maintaining the quirk that we all know and love. They certainly don’t disappoint in the novelty-instrument department, as they pull out all the bells and whistles – literally. Guilia Polito whips out a green cowbell and a whistle – in addition to melodica and glockenspiel. Of the new songs, the Spanish-infused Wonderland is a particular highlight, with Richie Cuthbert and Lauren McKinnon having a lovely boy-girl vocal exchange. Current single, Pace Ourselves is much better live than on record and gets the crowd dancing, while Negatives offers a slow contemplative moment.

Oldie Red Frogs is a clear crowd favourite, although the backing vocals are not as strong without the Night Walkers choir, and we all sway along to Maggie’s Health. The band finishes off with another new song, Mr Pickwick’s Camera, before leaving the stage sans encore. I am left feeling slightly disappointed at this point, not so much about the lack of encore, but that they didn’t include more songs off their previous album, Love Needs Us. But how could I stay mad at such an adorable and cheerful bunch? Cuthbert And The Night Walkers capped off a superb night of music filled with smiles, hugs and warm moments; I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the start of Spring.