On a gloomy Thursday night in Canberra, you can rely on one place to be cozy, warm and comforting. The Phoenix Bar in the city attracted the usual cider-sipping, rollie-smoking crowd as well as a sprinkling of dedicated fans gathered there to watch Hannah Gillespie and The Wildes perform.

After a few sound issues, Hannah Gillespie was first to take to the stage, and with her ginger-bearded bass player, the songstress from just over the border, launched into her first number; an airy, mellow song about a barman she used to have a crush on. Perfect harmonies and an earthy, folk voice made for easy listening but most of the crowd seemed more interested in the booze rather than the band, and spent most of her performance gathered around the bar. Gillespie attracted more attention towards the end of her set, where she dropped in a few tracks from her newest album All the Dirt and finished off with a vocal-focused song, oozing with emotion and feeling.

The boys from The Wildes were next and an upbeat, energetic start automatically grabbed the attention of the audience. Their music had a distinct country feel, but combined with an alternative twist and a rock ‘n roll delivery, the band steered clear of any of the usual stereotypes country music usually conjures.

By the third song, Bare Bones from their album Ballad of a Young Married Man, most of the crowd were toe-tapping and the occasional barnyard jig performed by an extremely enthusiastic fan in a polka dot dress was proof of a receptive audience. The three-piece band maintained their energy throughout the entire set and the drum, guitar and bass ukulele were worked overtime as they kept up with the fast, chaotic vocals. The Wildes peaked with their final song; a dirty, loud almost improv number, and judging by the swooning women in the audience, it is very likely the band has attracted a few new fans.

All in all, the night was a perfect mix of folkie goodness and upbeat country, and a nice way to end a day.