Live Review: The Preatures, Bad//Dreems, Gunns

Gunns begin with garage rock dedications to topics like citrus fruit and Vitamin D while fellow supports Bad//Dreems work the bad-boy filth.

Ben Marwe hocks up a spit lit up by a well-placed spotlight.

Early on as Bad//Dreems vocalist Ben Marwe hocks up a spit lit up by a well-placed spotlight. Pacing across the stage like caged lions, Marwe and guitarist Alex Cameron pump out Chills with glee. Massive drum action and screaming vocals on Caroline brings the heavy rock vibe firing up the pushy crowd defending staked out spots up front. The dudes bust out epic rock stances then bellow bogan-style “Oi oi ois” during Dumb Ideas while swigging beers mid-verse on Hoping For. Tonight, Bad//Dreems totally nail dirty pub rock like little Aussie battler champs.  

Massive screams welcome The Preatures to the first of two sold-out Melbourne shows. Emerging rock goddess Isabella Manfredi glows in skinny white jeans, puffed '80s denim jacket and white mid-riff tee. Her presence is immediately forceful and compelling, while vocal/guitarist Gideon Bensen's 1950s rocker look is just too damn gorgeous. Manfredi shoulder pops, bounces and stares straight down the barrel of clamouring cameras during the intense opening, including the catchy crowd-pleasing Manic Baby.

While the band takes the tempo down, her eyes stay closed, body glued tight to the mic stand for Threat, then remains totally entranced during the simmering opening to Pale Rider. Interrupting the song to pinch the Collingwood beanie off the head of a front row punter, Manfredi alternates between total concentration and sweet smiling connection to the punters. New single Two Tone Melody is debuted in a simple, understated style not quite capitalizing on the track's Fleetwood Mac-style beauty, while Better Than It Ever Could Be shows off the major talent, tightness and energy of the musicians driving the sound behind the exceptional front woman. 

A few on-stage wet-haired handstands are a highlight.

Manfredi gets hot, tips water on her head and splashes some into the crowd, laughing while telling winter-chilled Melburnians to “harden the fuck up!” A few on-stage wet-haired handstands are a highlight, and her jazz hands goad punters to dance badly during winner hit Is This How You Feel? Bouncing back on stage to take encore requests, the crowd overwhelmingly demands Take A Card and the band promptly gives the crowd exactly what they asked for. The Preatures finish the set leaving fans totally sated by their fucking amazing talent yet still begging without shame for more.