Home-grown garage rockers British India hijacked the Corner Hotel in an avalanche of musical revelry as their national album tour stopped off for its first night in Melbourne.

Those who arrived early were treated to an exceptional set by Adelaide outfit City Riots . Fresh from a recording and touring stint in the US, the boys shot the elephant in the room early on by breaching the ‘hometown’ topic with a playful description of their Adelaide roots: “churches, fucking shit bands and Jimmy Barnes – that’s all we’ve got!”

Lead by Ricky Kradolfer’s cool vocals, the polished and relaxed four-piece held the full attention of the crowd with a genuinely entertaining set. Opening with Burning Me Out from their 2008 Socialize EP, the band introduced a powerful sound that showed they’re a step above your usual support band. After playing She’s In My Head , they moved on to irresistible indie rock tune Favourite TShirt . City Riots have struck gold here. You know the kind of song that creeps into your subconscious, only to be resurrected three days later as you find yourself humming the chorus on a midday train? It’s one of those.

Love-bitten cynicism was on display in One Of Us Is Gonna Lose , where lead Kradolfer’s lyrical complaint “she only likes me for my clothes” holds some ground. In all fairness, they are some pretty good clothes. He matches long black hair with a long black coat and looks as if he’s strolled off the streets of 1970s Manchester, while guitarist Matt Stadler seemed to be channelling Mick Jagger in skinny jeans and a leather jacket.

The band played It’s Not Love before the captivating Disintegration , which Kradolfer summed up perfectly with the comment “if anyone’s here on their first date tonight, this is sure to get you laid.” Leaving with She Never Wants To Dance , the first taste of the band’s upcoming debut full-length, the four-piece proved the appropriateness of their band title. By all appearances, they are set to cause a musical riot in cities across Australia.

In contrast, second support Big Scary are neither big nor scary: they are a duo and their indie-folk sound produces the same kind of inviting warmth as a mid-afternoon cuppa. But their music is not limited by their size. Although only two members, the duo can create a fuss all on their own. Kickass female drummer Jo Syme was smiles and boundless energy while Tom Iansek took charge on the vocal front. To call them simply a folk act is an understatement. Their charming sound is an expansion of the general indie/folk formula, combining with it elements of funk and rock ‘n’ roll. They played the incredible This Weight, moved on to the nostalgic beauty of Polly before a rendition of sweeping folk tune Falling Away .

Arriving fashionably late to a packed-out and boozed-up crowd, British India took the night by the reins and steered it at full speed in the direction of greatness; treating their home turf to one hell of a show. An explosive live act, the band tore through their set with relentless energy; leading a rapturous crowd through the best of their impressive three albums, including standouts Safari , Avalanche and Vanilla from their latest record.

Lead singer Declan Melia spits violent lyrics with an introspective, boyish charm that makes him an instantly intriguing frontman. While he’d lost his speaking voice (presumably due to a touring schedule that’s seen them on the national trail since May), it is unnoticeable in performance. Melia’s trademark onstage antics were once again on show as he pulled his hood over his face and recited lyrics from beneath it and ended the night in an attempt to swallow his microphone whole. He and drummer Matt O’Gorman were flanked by the energetic Nic Wilson on guitar and Will Drummond playing bass, looking solemn in long black trench coat and sporting a wicked new variation on the ‘fro.

Appearing on stage to the opening voiceover of 90 Ways To Leave Your Lover , the band tore furiously into their set before launching into You Will Die And I Will Take Over . Now boasting a substantial catalogue of hits, the boys reached into the early work of their 2007 release Guillotine , to play crowd favourites Tie Up My Hands , Run The Red Light and Teenage Mother before unveiling indie anthem God Is Dead, Meet The Kids .

A low-key guitar intro to Because Of You provided some shortly-lived downtime, before musical and lyrical contrasts were once again at play with angry shouts cutting between soft verses of crooning resentment. Melia showcased his own stunted dance moves in This Dance Is Loaded before playing a cover of the Beastie Boys’ Fight For Your Right (To Party) in a fitting tribute to a night that had quite certainly become a wild celebration.

Bringing the night to a close with I Said I’m Sorry and ending in an anthem of self-assertion with This Aint No Fucking Disco , the band left the crowd a sweaty, satisfied and short-breathed mess. Apart from some microphone trouble toward the end of the gig, it is difficult to convey any negativity in this garage band success story.

CHECK OUT PHOTOS FROM THE NIGHT HERE