There is a certain feeling of nervous anticipation when neither the crowd, nor the band about to play, know what is about to happen. This is exactly what was felt at the Gaelic Club on Saturday night when Ruin Gloria showed what they had to offer. This screamo band shows off not only a series of emo songs with melodic metal guitar riffs, but also their frontman’s best Bert McCracken rock moves. Proving to everyone that the phase of young bands imitating The Used is not actually over just yet.

Following Ruin Gloria’s departure from the stage came the relaxed set of the contemporary rock five-piece Serenik. Kicking off their set with a pop rock song that showcased the lead singer’s vocal range was a well-planned attack that successfully got the audience on their side for the rest of the set. Serenik proceeded to take everyone back to the 90s with a few guitar-driven rock ballads to bring their set to a close.

After what seemed to be a lengthy change over, Midsummer Lights took to the stage armed with instruments and beaming smiles that were reciprocated by the crowd that stood before them. As the main support for the night, they made sure that everyone in the room was awake with an explosive opening song that got them warmed up and ready. The high-energy performance incited some much-wanted movement at the front of the crowd. Midsummer Lights’ blend of poppy, alternative punk rock got a varied reaction from the punters with some dancing and others head banging.

With the end of the unique Midsummer Lights performance, the stage was set for Old Kent Road. The crowd shuffled and settled into place for the start of the headline act. Red lights adorned the stage to welcome the last band for the evening. After greeting the audience, Old Kent Road got straight into it with a crowd favourite Murder Cry Murder. After only a few songs it was clear that these boys are definitely a band to watch for the future of Australian punk rock. The subject matter of their songs varied from politics and social change to love and all types of human drama. The unique, catchy punk rock tunes presented by Old Kent Road show that they are no amateur band. These boys looked as though they truly belong on stage.

Showing how professional they really are, the boys from Old Kent Road were not even put off by immature heckling from an ignorant Midsummer Lights fan, however, this was made easier by the rest of the room cheering enthusiastically after each and every song. The lucky group of punters who made their way to the show on Saturday night were treated to a feast of familiar Old Kent Road favourites with a few impressing new songs incorporated into the already brilliant set list for variety. During their last song, A Cold And Lonely Lie, vocalist Isaac says his goodbyes to the audience and another Saturday of alcohol induced punk rock fun ended.

Check out the pics from the gig, here