Next Big Thing 2010Compilation Launch @ AmplifierBar 05/08/2011

Tue 9th Aug, 2011 in Gig Reviews

With the Next Big Thing competition on hiatus this year due to a lack of funding, last Friday was your chance to soak in some of the sensational live music that the Next Big Thing competition showcases each year. The launch of the 2010 Next Big Thing compilation album saw the winners of last year’s competition, the crème de la crème of local music, come together to rock out at the Amplifier Bar.

Shuffling down the dreary back alley next to the Capitol nightclub to reach the Amplifier Bar was no mean feat for many on the bracingly cold Friday night. However, for those that braved the bitter winds, a selection of Next Big Thing compilations from the past and present were available at the door.

Starting off the night’s entertainment was country soloist and Next Big Thing semi-finalist Jonny Taylor. Taylor’s strong country roots were somewhat indifferently received by those few who had arrived early, however the performance itself was enjoyable for those who could overcome their deep-seated animosity for country music.

Following Jonny Taylor, The Brown Study Band took to the stage. Juxtaposing Taylor’s doleful acoustic melodies with fast-paced, progressive rock songs, including a performance of the song that cemented their place in the Next Big Thing compilation album, 11:11, the quartet blasted punters with a set of eccentric and unrestrained musicality, finishing off their set with a climactic rock-out.

Shuffling onstage after the Brown Study Band was the grunge rockers The Love Junkies. Kicking off their set with Peter Rabbit, the band’s raw, angst-ridden songs made for an appealing set, however the band itself seemed inexplicably perturbed, with front man Mitch McDonald remarking, “It’s been a bit of a funny evening,” after concluding their set.

James Teague and his backing sextet was the next act to hit the stage. The indie folk group began their set with a 70s synth number before launching in to folk tune Strange Birds. Teague’s idiosyncratic alto vocal style provided a particularly memorable moment in the night for those yet uninitiated to the style of troubadour Teague. Dabbling in the genres of country, rock, two-step, indie and blues, the band took punters on a musical rollercoaster, breaking free of stagnation and homogeny.

As the night began to draw to a close one final act was yet to take the stage. Party band The Brow Horn Orchestra armed themselves with an array of instruments, from brass to synth, and walked on stage ready to entertain the expectant crowd. Kicking off with King from their soon-to-be-released EP, the band quickly whipped the previously inanimate crowd in to a dancing frenzy. The band’s mix of world influences and tongue-in-cheek samples performed with a good dollop of on stage antics made for a thoroughly enjoyable and memorable set. With that, punters wandered off in to the cool night air to their respective homes or off to Northbridge to get hammered. The only qualm that could be made of the night was the unexpectantly low turnout of punters that saw Perth’s premier bands performing to a veritable ghost crew of audience members.