Hungry Kids of Hungary, BigScary, Ball Park Music @ TheHiFi, Brisbane (30/09/2010)

Mon 4th Oct, 2010 in Gig Reviews

Opening the evening’s proceedings were local youngsters Ball Park Music. Their guitar driven indie pop provided the perfect entrance theme as the crowd poured in to the venue, almost reaching its peak at the set’s midpoint. Usually a six piece (the band were short a member for the set due to an overseas holiday), Ball Park Music owned the stage and through the combined vocals of frontman Sam Cromack and bass player Jennifer Boyce had the audience nodding heads and tapping feet.

The injection of a trombone for a couple of tracks late in the set had The Hifi feeling more like a house party than concert venue but it was current Triple J favourite iFly that provided the highlight. Ball Park Music put on one of the most memorable opening slots in recent memory and it is highly likely that with their quality tunes and infectious enjoyable attitude they will soon be following in the path of tonight’s headliners.

Next up were Melbourne two-piece Big Scary who strode on to the stage and took up their places behind the keys and drums, ready to keep the party atmosphere going. Tom Iansek went from strength to strength as he chopped and changed between keys and guitar as well as providing the lead vocals, although he was strongly supported by Jo Syme and her talents on the drum kit and back-up vocals.

With the stage covered in a dull flickering red light, Big Scary launched into the instantly recognisable Apple Song, winning over the crowd in the process. With a sound that incorporated anything from folk to bluesy rock, they produced a sound reminiscent of some of today’s biggest names from Them Crooked Vultures to The White Stripes and even Arcade Fire which is quite astounding purely given the difference in number of band members. After just over half an hour on stage, Big Scary exited the stage to the crowd’s applause and knowledge that they will no doubt be back in the near future, hopefully playing their own headline show.

After a short break and the sudden opening of the mezzanine area, Hungry Kids of Hungary took to the stage. On the eve of the release of their debut album Escapades, the local lads owned the stage from the first chord. Inflatable palm trees and ropes of fairy lights adorned the stage and helped to provide the summer feel that the band invokes through their music.

Early highlight Wristwatch was a crowd pleaser and had the whole floor moving but it was new track Window Shopper that showed their true talent. With back-up ooh’s and aah’s coming from all members, including their new touring guitarist, frontmen Kane Mazlin and Dean McGrath swapped the lead vocals seamlessly as they played a set filled with favourites off their early EPs and tracks off Escapades.

Stage invaders (there’s one in every audience) and Mazlin’s bottle of scotch appeared numerous times throughout the performance that concluded with the brilliant Scattered Diamonds. The hour long set was a perfect way to not only show off their new tracks but also celebrate the achievement of putting out their long awaited debut album. Bouncing around the stage from start to finish, it was clear that Hungry Kids of Hungary were enjoying themselves playing to a crowd of family, friends and long time local fans.

Responding to the audience applause with the expected encore, The Hungries called out old friends and label-mates Ball Park Music as well as new friends Big Scary to help them finish the night off. A cover of Weezer’s Buddy Holly had the crowd singing along and the stage at capacity but it was final track Two Stones that made The Hifi erupt. With inflatable palm trees being thrown into the crowd and members of Ball Park Music on each other’s shoulders the stage became a shambles but the performance didn’t falter in the slightest, finishing as they started with relentless energy and vocals from all corners.

In an evening that showcased three of Australia’s up and coming young bands, one could not help but think that big things are in store for Hungry Kids of Hungary. With the new record released through EMI’s label Stop Start, national tour and a summer of festival appearances on their radar, one could not help but think that it won’t be long before we see them back in town playing in bigger venues but still having such a great time doing it.