Photo: Justin Ma

Sydney-sider Kimbra, just one girl and an electric guitar, plays melodic pop-rock with a strong, slow voice that gives the music a slight touch of jazz. Her set uses some interesting effects, including one tune in which she uses no instruments, instead recording her own voice then looping each sound back to create a harmonious chorus. She gives a strong show, though a little variation in her songs wouldn’t go astray.

The four Brisbane boys that comprise Hungry Kids Of Hungary are the next performers, playing their usual mix of toe-tapping indie pop-rock. Their combination of keyboard, electric guitar, bass and drums with simple, but effective harmonies makes for lovely lighthearted songs that, though perhaps not the most original, are unavoidably enjoyable.

Bertie Blackman’s show begins quite theatrically as the heavy black curtain that covers The Hi-Fi stage draws back to reveal a barely-lit set scattered with ghostly looking white and black animal cutouts. It must be said we wait quite a while for all this decoration to occur, but the wait worth it once Blackman (finally) steps onstage. Her set is composed of indie pop-rock tunes that are generally quite loud and bass-infused. At times they edge a little towards dance tracks, with the use of synth and electro beats. A casual but professional performer, Blackman belts out her songs with a deep, husky voice while traveling around the stage and stamping in time to the beat. At the end of the set she returns with encore songs, one of which is, quite randomly, an edgy rendition of In The Air Tonight by Phil Collins, something entirely unexpected and perhaps a little risky. Luckily this audience, the biggest of her tour, are delighted by her choice and join with Blackman to sing the show to a close.

NINA ATKINSON

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