Papa Vs. Pretty, LastDinosaurs, Hancock Basement @Transit, Canberra (31/2/11)

Sun 3rd Apr, 2011 in Gig Reviews

Gigs on a school night are usually pretty iffy when it comes to our fair city. Cries of work/class/getting the kids to school are often heard whenever a quality bit of music falls on a weeknight and thus, crowds are often disappointing. Apparently to avoid this all you need is a lineup consisting of two of the most hyped bands making the rounds at the moment. And so last Thursday saw a pretty excited crowd head to Transit to check out Last Dinosaurs and Papa Vs. Pretty, thoughts of work the next day temporarily suspended.

By 8.30pm a sizeable audience had gathered to support the homegrown Hancock Basement. Well practised at gracing the Transit stage, the four-piece impressed with their infectious numbers. The familiar strains of tracks such as Hey Kids and One In A Million Does delighted the audience and by the time they wrapped up with crowd-pleaser We Started Something it was once again clear that Hancock are a band who have what it takes to really go somewhere.

Last Dinosaurs, somewhat of a band-of-the-moment took to the stage a short while later. Their tight and bright sound went down well with the toe-tapping, head-bopping crowd. The Brisbane lads were all charm and stage presence as they made they way through a set-list that included Honolulu, As Far As You’re Concerned and Saturn. Hit song Time and Place brought their show to a close, with even the most sombre of patrons not being able to resist singing along.

A brief interlude later, and Sydney-siders Papa Vs. Pretty got straight into things with their stripped-back, quasi alternative sound. Frontman and brainchild of the band, 19-year-old Thomas Rawle looked every bit the part on stage. His banter and rock star swagger interspersed with their tunes. Obviously, age ain’t nothing but a number. Highlights were definitely radio-hits Wrecking Ball and Heavy Harm, with the boys also showcasing One Of The Animals off the upcoming album, United In Isolation. Fast on the rise to success, Papa Vs. Pretty have obviously reached that point where headlining their own shows don’t faze them one bit, commanding the audience like seasoned professionals.

Gigs where you get a chance to see upcoming bands play are usually pretty special. The enthusiasm and energy is extremely contagious and that’s exactly what Thursday night was. Watch this space, as Last Dinosaurs and Papa V. Pretty are definitely going places.