The night started sedately, with remarkably few punters through the doors at 8:30ish. The Uni Bar was set up in intimate mode, with the stage taking up little of the Refectory. Taking the stage first were local outfit Hancock Basement. Taking their name from the science library at the ANU with same name, Hancock Basement are actually quite good; really! Their brand of psychadelic influenced indie rock borrows heavily from the seventies but comes out sounding really quite fresh. As their set progressed they dragged the punters from the back of the bar to the stage, with all seeming to enjoy the music. The Hancock Basement are another one of those local bands who really deserve a higher profile, and with support could cut it with the big boys on the national circuit.

The introduction of the saxophone for the final track was an inspired choice, and should be incorporated more in the bands repertoire. Just watching them play, it became quite apparent that this was a band with a great depth of talent and one that should be supported and nurtured by the local scene.

After the excitement of seeing such a great new act, I felt a little trepidation when Datarock took the stage, would they be eclipsed by a support act?

Whilst punters in the ACT are fairly open minded, the bulk of them either stick with the local dance scene or the live scene. The crowd assembled seemed to come more from the former than the latter. The set that Datarock played was more of a rock set, rather than a dance set. The only electronic instrument on stage was the drum machine/sampler programmed by the non-permanent/permanent member of the band Stig, who’s birthday it was this evening.

Datarock’s set included tracks from their EPs and self-titled debut album. Their set took in most of the material from their album and included mashed up versions of Ugly Primadonna and Sex Me Up. The band acknowledged the success they’ve received in this country when playing Computer Camp Love, making special mention of its prominence in this year’s Hottest 100.

Whilst it was a really enjoyable set to be involved in, there were times where it looked as though some of the crowd would have liked it to be a little more danceable, more akin to the Scissor Sisters. For the little over an hour they were on set it never seemed like a chore, there were smiles all round and a little good natured banter. The positive fun vibe the band gave out was mirrored back to them, with nearly everyone involved in every handclap and most of the actions. Datarock showed the crowd that you don’t need a drum kit to rock out.