Headlining the Gaelic Club is an impressive achievement, especially for local lads Dappled Cities Fly who have had their fair share of support slots and university lunchtime appearances. Renowned for their memorable performances, it’s time for the band to say farewell to their successful debut album A Smile and what a better way to say goodbye by releasing a limited edition handmade EP and plugging a new single.

Dappled Cities Fly have developed a loyal fanbase and not just friends of friends who know the drummer like most hip indie bands, they are genuine people who appreciate the bands energetic live performances. After two high profile appearances at this year’s Cockatoo Island and Come Together Festival Dappled the band are ready for phase two. Raising their profile and working on their second album and this is evident in tonight’s performance through the inclusion of new songs with the old.

But, before Dappled Cities come on we must sit through Rand and Holland. They are an interesting choice for tonight’s gig and they shuffle onstage and look at the modestly sized crowd who are gearing up for a big show. They begin, lost in their own world, atmospheric and emotional. Or, you could take it another way and say boring. Vocalist Brett Thompson croons, trying to seduce the crowd with his moody lyrics. Stuart Olsen barely looks up from acoustic guitar and it soon becomes evident that the band have become so absorbed with their experimental acoustic style that it doesn’t matter that the audience’s attention has waned and the bar suddenly looks more appealing.

Next up, from Western Australia are the Tucker Bs who are much more lively, partly due to the fact that they have more members and instruments onstage. They chug through their set effortlessly, wooing the crowd in the process.

However, the people who are filling the floors of the Gaelic are here for one band tonight and they become impatient. Front of stage there are some diehards playing tag team, minding spots until Dappled Cities graces the stage. As the Tucker Bs leave, the atmosphere picks up and handmade EPs featuring tonight’s headliner and supports fly out from the merch stand.

There’s been talk that Dappled Cities Fly have considered changing their name to break into the international market. However, their quirky name has become synonymous with their catchy indie pop tunes and it would be a shame for the band to change this. The stage is ready to go and is beautifully adorned with twinkly fairy lights and chunky green letters proclaiming DCF. A stuffed toy bumblebee completes the stage and sets the tone for tonight’s gig.

One by one, each member walks onstage and the crowd cheers. Dave and Tim are all business, despite soaking in the supportive applause from fans. From beginning to end the band are mesmerising. Each song is played to perfection and the crowd stays relatively still, even in uptempo songs such as Triple J favourite Cream. The band’s undeniable talent as songwriters is evident in songs such as the uplifting Peach when Dave takes over lead vocals and leaves the audience breathless. One word can best describe Peach. Beautiful.

The concept of shared vocals has hardly been a successful one in rock and roll history. However, Dappled Cities Fly are ready to break this tradition. Tim Derricourt and Dave Rennick enjoy the shared vocals, especially in new songs such as The Birds which has become a live favourite partly due to the fact that they shriek and sing in unimaginable levels. Ever the indie pin up boy, Dave grabs a tom during another new song Outposts and plays it onstage, clearly relishing and feeding off the loud cheers from the audience.

The band are unstoppable tonight and as always, there is something magical about their performance. Maybe it’s the fact that their songs are so perfect or perhaps it’s their quirky stage setup. Whatever the reason, it doesn’t matter. Dappled Cities Fly have proven to us yet again why they remain one of the most interesting live act to watch.