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Question 1: Is it ok to buy your girlfriend a t-shirt with a big picture of Juanita Stein on it for Christmas?

This was the first thought on arrival to a pretty vacant ANU Bar where the merch desk had a rather magnetic attraction. Let’s face it, the reputed beauty of the Howling Bells front woman precedes the band as much as their music does, and did encourage a few more through the door as the night trucked on. The four-piece was in Canberra for the penultimate stage of the second Australian tour since they packed their bags and joined all the other Aussies on British Airways Flight “Get me to London, I hear they’re less fussy there”.

Question 2: Will big-riff spirit rock rise again to challenge the hegemony of modern day denim-squeezing indie?

If so, then there’s every chance support band number one, aka Papa Vs Pretty will be leading the charge. You heard it here first folks – the Sydney trio whose unassuming youth is one of their most attractive attributes could, given some good luck and good management, make the record Jeff Buckley didn’t have time to. Anchored by lead singer, lead guitarist, rhythm guitarist and clear music obsessive Thomas Rawle, Papa Vs Pretty play crafted songs with original melodies, spot-on harmonies, and guitar solos which are more over-the-top and fantastic than Canberra has seen all year. Though the set teetered on the edge of over-sentimentality at times, particularly during the Purple Rain (*Prince*) cover, raw songs like Piper showed the potential of this outfit (much more than its mediocre name).

Question 3: Is time travel possible?

Affirmative, as evidenced by the second band of the night and the first of the two rebadged acts Canvas Kites. Singer Thom Moore has embraced a new band and a new direction, to the point where nearby voices were heard to say, “It’s 1985 again! I feel young, I feel alive and we really do have a Labor Government!” In all seriousness, what we heard was a tight, clean, smooth brand of progressive rock with roots in a bunch of Oz and UK bands of years gone by. The Triple J single Wayside shows the slick sound found throughout the set, but more variety might be needed if they are to stay on the old wireless.

Question 4: Is it true that touring with Chris Martin will turn your songs fucking boring?

Why, yes it is. In the very spirit of Coldplay, Howling Bells have followed up a barnstorming arrival and first album, with a second effort which lacks the quality, originality and effort of the self-titled debut. Unfair? Perhaps a little, because the enduring radio singles – particularly Into The Chaos – have made Radio Wars one of the more memorable records of 2009. A problem remains though in that the standout songs of the live show – for this crowd it was Setting Sun and Across The Avenue – remain the older ones, and the glimpse we got of the future through a new song titled Crossroads didn’t fill the room with hope. Stein’s beauty, however luscious, can’t fill this void. What can is better tunes for her undisputedly smashing and pitch-perfect voice, some more rhythmic variation, and clearer definition all round. Martin’s sitting on a Gold to Garbage Ratio of 2:2. Doubtless the next Howling Bells tour will be showcasing a better set of tunes to make theirs 2:1.

Question 5: When should you turn on the house lights at a Canberra rock concert?

Never! After requesting a little light on the faces of the Canberra faithful, the Bells were shocked as the neons came on and revealed our motley collective – pasty and red-eyed, not too numerous, and not quite as enthralled as the same crowd was three years ago when last they toured here. It did make for a great laugh, even if it ruined a few dates,

It has been a great year of gigs at ANU Bar. 10 gold stars for Howling Bells and all the other world-beating bands that have bothered with Canberra in 2009 – we are small but we are special… Just like the t-shirt that’s wrapped up under my Christmas tree.