Live Review: Gang Of Youths, Ecca Vandal, Big White

Big White started the show with a smattering of people on hand. They have a youthful exuberance about them on stage, but it seemed hard to differentiate the songs. Three guitars and a slacker vibe were their schtick. They have promise, but it’s hard to judge them in this sort of low-key vibe.

Ecca Vandal is getting a reputation in this country for her explosive performances and the amount of quality support gigs she’s done is testimony to this, from The Prodigy to the upcoming Birds of Tokyo tour. Tonight she busted out her intensity to a room that was, to be frank, probably not prepared for her ferocity. She sings with confidence and fire and made everyone take notice. She will surely be playing a lot more headline shows in the near future. Despite technical issues during White Flag, she powered through a solid set and definitely woke up the rather subdued crowd.

The Positions is a quality debut from a band that has been promising much since their first flickers just two years ago. Gang Of Youths took to the stage with a nervous energy for the first show of their album tour. The sold-out OAF was keen to soak in their wall of sound as they kicked off with Restraint & Release and Poison Drum. A delightful cameo from Montaigne for Benevolance Riots was a gorgeous touch.

When lead singer Dave Leaupepe busted out Knuckles White Dry solo on stage, the crowd swayed in time and when they rocked it out with Radioface they danced with them. Despite the extended length of their songs, they translated surprisingly well to a short rock show.

A solo encore of Joni Mitchell’s A Case Of You was tantalising before the full band joyously finished with Evangelists and the album’s opener and highlight, Vital Signs. It’s a very, very good rock show from a band whose ripples have not yet quite formed a wave. There’s little doubt it will turn tidal before long.