Kicking off the proceedings at the less than capacity Annandale support came in the guise Sydney-based band Cabins. Cabins delivered some intense and sonically arresting arrangements which sounded punchy and mighty damn fine. There seems to be a lot of influences rattling around in Cabins sieved through a musically savvy intelligence filter.

Perhaps if I try and draw any comparisons maybe a touch of Radiohead in morbidity and intensity, and a bluesy guitar sounding at times like it emanates from some voodoo swamp. Leroy’s vocals sounds like they should be delivered by someone much older, like Tom Waits, though at times the tremolo effect on the vocals sounded a bit over-baked and lost on some of the songs, but nevertheless also had me think of early Captain Beefheart a little bit too in his drawl and slight unhinged-ness in delivery. Cabins are one of the best up and coming bands around at the moment and I foresee will enjoy the same successes of fellow retro-psych indie big hitters Tame Impala.

Next up, Vasco Era. The Melbourne three-piece are the epitome of good ol’ Aussie boys. Sid O’Neill takes to the stage wearing a wife-beater and a slightly unnecessary dobro guitar, brother Tim O’Neill on bass, and Michael Fitzgerald on drums. The set consisted seemingly of a lot of covers and medleys of sorts, either that or all their original material is not very original which left me a little confused as to their purpose higher up the support billing. Cabins would have been far better. Sid O’Neill’s gritty vocals sounded strong and confident, but combined with an air of a cocky little kid that you’d probably like to punch. Despite this the audience seemed pleased with the energy laden set. Tim leaps around on stage playing bass with energy and over enthusiasm, reminiscent of Peter Hook from Joy Division/New Order, though their music is clearly aimed more towards a middle of the road rock market.

Onto the main act, with high expectations, the first of my Splendour sideshow gigs, Alberta Cross, hailing from Brooklyn, NY (with members also from Sweden and London). Little known in Australia, the five piece have been recently touring with Them Crooked Vultures, and have toured extensively in the UK in various support slots.

Alberta Cross come from the same genes as Kings of Leon, steeped in bluesy guitar driven rock., though with less swagger and genuine southern credentials. Taking to the stage the guys have that confident and casual ‘been on the road a lot’ stage presence, i.e slightly indifferent. The blues-infused rock is heavy and brooding with a feel of the epic, a touch blissed out stoner rock that’s prone to breaking out into soaring reverb laden guitars.

The unique selling point of Alberta Cross that raises them above Kings of Leon sound-a-likes is Petter Ericson Stakee’s reedy and wiry vocal delivery a lot like Neil Young. At times their touring spot with Oasis seems to have rubbed off on them with tracks like ATX sounding not dissimilar. From the stage the sonic panorama feels heavy and wraps it’s way round the audience at times delivering a low fug feel, like a resin blowback. Maybe this was the turning point for me, as the set progressed through their latest release Broken Side of Time I found myself slightly losing my attention span as all the songs began to sound a bit all the same-y and a bit over long, the band lost in their own epic-ness, especially on Rise from the Shadows.

Undoubtedly the highlight of the set was the highly infectious The Thief and the Heartbreaker, an old staple and blinder of a tune, emphasising Stakee’s great vocal delivery in full Neil Young mode married with some great guitar riffing and timing. This one could be straight from Neil Young’s glory days in the 60s.

All in all, I left feeling that it was one of the nights where the underdogs, the lowly support shined brighter than the main act. Even the slightly bogan Vasco Era were mildly entertaining in their stage presence, but with Cabins winning hands down in terms of musical originality.

Check out the photos from the gig