In the words of the Howling Bells: it’s a low, low, low, low happening. Now, I don’t know the exact meaning they are trying to convey with that but let me try and relate it to the band’s show at the Northern Star in Newcastle. In many ways this under-the-radar show was the calm before what could well be a huge storm. All the positive words coming out of the UK made up for the minimal local promotion. The ten dollar entry fee made up for any doubts that this latest incarnation of Waikiki would fail to deliver – well, that and their storming performance. In essence it was a low happening – low-key but most certainly the place to be.

Another band that is happening is Newcastle support act The Instant. After a few years around the traps and a name change the musical climate finally looks likely to accommodate the group’s brand of brooding instrumental post-rock. The band members’ wiry frames moved hypnotically throughout a set of discordant beauty. While some argue that such instrumental bands lack a focal point, the Instant proved in their case this is not so. Songs like “A B Movement” ebbed and flowed, throwing the largely seated audience into a high state of intrigue. With a debut album not too far away and some JJJ airplay, not to mention some fine support slots, the Instant are a band that should be existing far beyond this one moment.

In between sets the burgeoning audience were cruelly denied the sight of Juanita Stein: the undoubted centre-piece of first Waikiki and now the Howling Bells. As other band members came and went her appearance was held off – to stunning effect. Then the band – Juanita included – took to the stage, dapper as ever and distinctly dark. From the outset the band insisted on upholding a sense of mood: calls to dim the lights were eventually heeded by hotel staff and the songs took on a gothic country-tinged quality. But through the darkness Juanita radiated, demure in everything except voice and eager to please. Next to her, brother Joel on guitar was all side-to-side head bobbing and backward glances.

In interviews, Juanita has admitted that she feels the Howling Bells to be more of a UK band than an Australian one and this is reflected in the nature of the songs on display. Showcasing tunes from their debut album – all of two days out from release – the band’s relocation to the UK for a couple of years is evident. Songs like “Broken Bones” and “Across the Avenue” have an inherent darkness seemingly far removed from the retrospective eternal sunshine of a certain spottier predecessor. Although at times songs appear slight they are never characterless and are pulled of by a healthy enthusiasm – and that voice. Tonight Juanita is in fine form, her gentle chirp enough to send a grown man swooning; her sneer enough to see him running.

The group closed the set with the one-two sucker-punch of “Ballad for the Bleeding Hearts” and “Low Happening”. The former drew you in with heartbreaking clarity before the latter revealed a more cutting side to the group’s song-writing. It is testament to the atmosphere afforded by the Northern Star Hotel – late playing times, intimate and cosy surrounds, oh so very Melbourne – that the feeling elicited by the Howling Bell’s music was so well translated into general mood. Truth is we could have been back in the UK. And that’s the beauty; even at this early stage in the band’s career the ability to transport a listener is already apparent. Despite the temptation to describe them as an old band with a makeover, we should be able to recognise that change is inevitable. Those present tonight will have to accept that the next place they see the Howling Bells will be in a much larger arena, for a greater price. For now I’m happy to keep it a low happening.