Photo: Candice Marhsall

The Art Of The State really kick things into gear for the first set of the night. The garage-rocking trio plays a lean and muscular set fuelled by rapid drums and commanding vocals.

The last time I saw Skinny Jean they were (the bad kind of) a cacophonous mess, so I'm happy to report they're much more on form tonight. Four vocalists at any one time, unorthodox song forms and dramatic blasts of noise make for a particularly captivating show.

Somewhere between the energy of the first act and the unconventional balladry of the second act is Princess 1.5, tonight with the addition of a bassist. Sarah-Jane Wentzki's dirty, distorted pop songs are lifted as always by Richard Andrew's animated drumming and her sweet stage presence

Hot Liquid Sex start things a bit late, but it's due to their pretty mirrors and fairy light stage set up, so it's forgivable. Early jitters seem to get the best of their first song: this EP launch is a big night, after all. Lead singer Ocean Wilson is a genuine rockstar, leaning on monitors and jumping around the stage in classic stances that contrast with her delicate voice. Vocal harmonies are the icing on their short, choppy song cake, further accented by the great fun these four sequined girls are having. The overall tone is one of childlike joy: from bubble blowing punters to xylophone parts to the cheekiness of Trouser Snake and beyond. For my money, I couldn't think of a better encore for these gals than a cover of The Darkness' I Believe In A Thing Called Love, with local songstress Emma Dean guesting on violin. These girls combine the glamour of their fashion upbringing with the balls and spontaneity of a full-blown rock show … and a man’s underwear on Ocean's head. No, really.

MITCH ALEXANDER

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