The Liars, Shout Out Louds @Rebel Rebel, 06/05/06

Wed 10th May, 2006 in Gig Reviews

You know it’s going to be a good night when the VIP line is longer than the regular line, with people standing alongside the taxi drivers who are polishing their windscreens and looking on, perplexed. Yes, we are at Home nightclub- and there are live bands playing tonight. The plan for tonight is to expect the unexpected. Home looks like The Beach Pit from The O.C- we kid you not. Think polished floors, hectic lights and multi levels. The place is packed and both the bar line and number of hot scene fucks per square metre is ridiculous.

The mantra of expecting the unexpected kicks in when we realise that supports will be playing after the main headliners. No one looks too fussed, however. The beer is cold. The bartenders are hot and actually know how to mix a drink. The music is loud and apparently there are huge polished mirrors erected infront of the urinals. Hell yeah!

Sweden’s Shout Out Louds are experiencing some mixing problems tonight and do their best under the circumstances. Charismatic indie pop, both levels are packed with people vying to catch a glimpse of the international superstars. Vocalist Adam is wearing red suspenders and moves effortlessly onstage while his bandmates seem content focusing on a tight set, rarely looking into the crowd.

Next band up are The Liars. Former Aussie Angus Andrews strides onstage wearing a mechanics uniform. Three songs into their loud as fuck set, he whips it off to reveal a knee length skirt. The crowd cheers. It seems like he is the only person in the room who can pull off said ensemble. He is after all, a guy that’s had a relationship with Karen O. It feels like a homecoming show of some sort tonight for The Liars. There are songs dedicated to family members and shout outs to parents. Tonight is not just the opening of Rebel Rebel- it’s about The Liars returning to Sydney and blowing the crowd away.

We catch a few songs from The Valentinos. We know they’re good looking, connected and have been playing a whole heap of shows lately. What we don’t know is that lately they have become more prone to experimenting onstage, with extended intros and breakdowns in the middle of songs. They play Sell Yourself and Kafka! The kids at Home are dancing, to a much different beat tonight. The night feels young even though it’s hitting 2am. A quick glance at the schedule reveals a whole heap of other bands to hit the stage and  DJ’s slanted to spin some tunes. If this is what Rebel Rebel is all about, Sydney venues (read: 77. Spectrum. Loaded.) you have been warned- there’s a new kid in town.