British India had high expectations to meet, as admittedly I am quite the fan. This was the first time seeing the boys live, so I was amped. Rocking up to the Manning Bar I expected to see a crowd full of indie music lovers, but instead there were a small crowd of students, arty introverts and local folk scattered around the outskirts of the stage and enjoying a beer on the balcony.

As the British India boys made their way out on stage, people quickly found a spot on the dancefloor, whilst others stood on the tiers for a more panoramic view. The set began with a monotone voice blaring through the speakers with a monologue on social issues and the effect on the individual. Then with no introduction, the band began playing a song called 90 Ways To Leave Your Lover from their March 2010-slated album. It carried the same hard rock attitude as This Dance is Loaded and Nic The Poet.

Disappointingly, the sound quality wasn’t up to par and songs like Teenage Mother were far from mind-blowing. However, the energy these four boys from Melbourne exude is exciting and it’s clear they love what they do.

It’s obvious frontman Declan Melia is not there to please anybody except for himself. But once he warms up and sees the enthusiasm of the crowd, he begins to appear from behind his hair and open up. The camaraderie between these old school friends is immediately apparent, with Melia and his fellow axe-man Nic Wilson leading the performance.

All the favourites like Tie Up My Hands, God Is Dead and Russian Roulette were played along with the new single Vanilla, which had the crowd cheering along. All in all, these young lads know what they’re doing: getting adrenaline pumping and heads banging with fast and heavy riffs. Like the frontman says, “This ain’t no fucking disco.”