Otherwise known as the dungeon or sweatbox, The Hi-Fi Bar still remains a good gig venue in terms of delivering quality acoustics. Overpriced beverages and chatterboxes aside, when a band is in rare form they sound shit-hot in this place and that’s what makes me keep coming back.

Appearing after a short and sharp warm up support from Jen Cloher and band who deliver an electrified set of tunes from Hidden Hands and Dead Wood Falls along with a cracking cover of Grant Lee Buffalo’s Fuzzy, Neko Case and band get to work on the first of their two Hi-Fi shows.

Taking the stage after what feels like an eternity, Case exposes a wild head of red hair and goes into deep parables about her favourite band, Iron Maiden. Interesting to note that she was born Jennifer but as a teenager, adopted the name – œNicko’ from Iron Maiden’s drummer, Nicko McBrain, later changing it to – œNeko’ to capture her own identity. Now that’s dedication!

Flanked by backing vocalist and banter sparring partner Kelly Hogan and pedal steel player/banjo/guitarist Jon Rauhouse, Case although feeling the severe effects of jet lag punches out a ripping set filled with diversity. Things That Scare Me from Blacklisted and Maybe Sparrow from _Fox Confessor Brings The Flood_kick start the performance, easing in with refined instrumentation and the old familiar Neko Case vocal charm. But it’s Hogan, – œthe funny one’ who has the crowd in stitches as the show develops.

“I love what Australia has done to your hair… it’s wild!” she quips after noticing the flame-haired Case’s bird’s nest frizz expanding. “L’Oréal should bottle it,” laughs Case as the band fires into Maneater and the crowd erupts. Not for the first time tonight. Hold On, Hold On gallops in before the mariachi inspired Polar Nettles and Deep Red Bells shake up the room with Hogan, Case and Rauhouse joking in between songs about Case’s imaginary boyfriends. “He’s married now isn’t he?” sniggering Rauhouse.

A Widow’s Toast soon follows along with Margaret VS. Pauline, but it’s I Wish I Was the Moon and the Harry Nilsson cover of Don’t Forget Me that are the highlight’s of the set. Case is in full honey croon mode as she breaks hearts with her serenades and odes.

Finishing off with That Teenage Feeling and This Tornado Loves You from her recent Middle Cyclone record, Case and Hogan engage in some cute vocal interplay, before Hogan thanks us for standing for the gig in this – œflesh casserole’. Now that’s the best description of the venue yet. When the band feels it, you know the room is at boiling point, so come on Hi-Fi Bar get it right this year.

CHECK OUT THE PHOTOS FROM THE GIG HERE