Pyramid Rock Music Festival:Day Two, Victoria (31/12/2010)

Tue 4th Jan, 2011 in Gig Reviews

It was a slow morning, with many punters opting to sleep through the sunrise, as rain rolled off tents and frosted car windows. Papa Vs Pretty, in contrast, had quite the hectic and eventful start to their set, with drummer Tom Meyers being rushed to hospital earlier that morning after waking up and not being able to move. “It was pretty weird, but I’m alright now”. Lead singer Thomas Rawle commented that Meyers is “such a trooper, he wanted to play so badly”, and that is exactly what they did. Tender vocals amidst an arrangement of rock and grunge sounds, songs such as Ask Yourself and Heavy Harm were crowd favourites. Wth lyrics that pack a punch and an energy that screams attitude and purpose, it’s clear the three-piece have already garnered quite the following. When a band is this dedicated, that attention is totally deserved.

Oh Mercy were next to grace the main stage with their calm presence and catchy songs. From the outset, it looked like a great timeslot for them; the sun was shining, there was a cool breeze and the grass was ever green. Oh Mercy’s sound is immediately reminiscent of bands such as The Triffids and The Go Betweens, with rhythmical interludes that are elegant and evocative lyrics. Opening with Lay Everything on Me, a track from their highly acclaimed debut album Privileged Woes, it could be easily noted that the adoring crowd were swooning from the moment its percussion kicked in. Can’t Fight It and Broken Ears had people on their toes, as young girls swayed and men alike got into their allusive groove. With some light-hearted banter and an endearing disposition, Alexander Gow displayed all the charm and wit needed for a frontman to harness the audience’s attention at large. Gow enticed the crowd with suspense, as he teased there was a surprise in store later in their set; “it’s a combination of birds and maracas, kind of like a Peter Allen surprise”. The group showcased songs off their forthcoming record, which is set for release in early March. Songs like Confessions, Keith St and Stay, Please Stay, capture the same sweet intensity as their debut, albeit with more refinement and a newfound maturity. Before closing with Get You Back the surprise was revealed; Brian Nankervis entered the stage to read a poem about the Sooty Oyster Catcher, a native Australian bird that resides on Phillip Island. This kitsch addition showed off Gow’s love of all things ‘Australia’, as well as adding another element to their set, making them a stand out to festival goers as a band that is clever in both performance and personality. Nankervis joined the band for the closing track, and with maracas in hand, proceeded to dance around the stage and entertain all those present. Oh my, Oh Mercy are set to soar in 2011, with their sophomore record Great Barrier Grief looking to shine only bigger and brighter!

Hungry Kids of Hungary burst onto the main stage with more energy than a kid’s birthday party. Like they had just downed a truck load of red cordial, the band started their set with You Ain’t Always There, and continued with tracks off their debut album Escapades. The party had well and truly started by that point, although many sun burnt bodies were looking a little worse for wear, with some opting to lay in the shade.

Philadelphia Grand Jury rocked out the only way they know how- in absolute style! Berkfinger and MC Bad Genius entered the stage to their pre recorded banter, as they got into position to kick into opening track Ready to Roll, followed by favourite Going to the Casino. New release Save Our Town proved to be just as popular as songs from Hope Is For Hopers, but I’m Going To Kill You is the song that really began to incite a riot. Susie Dreamboat, formerly of I Heart Hiroshima, is a terrific addition to the group as their new drummer, and was a star working the lead vocals in the band’s cover of 99 Problems. Dreamboat worked the crowd into frenzy, leaping from the stage down to crowd level, as she wrapped herself in a quilt belting out the rapping chorus of the Jay Z original.