Live Review: Dead Letter Circus

Local act Graphic Characters sound fantastic in recordings. Unfortunately on this night it didn't translate quiet as well, lead vocalist Chris Winterburn struggling to maintain focus from a poor mix and the band robbed of what should have been a great showing. Thankfully, as they reach Aeroplane, the mix settles down nicely and Winterburn relaxes into a groove that shows the trio's strength live.

Continuing the technical plague for the night, New Zealand via the UK post-grunge outfit I Am Giant is burdened from start to finish. Guitarist Stuart Steele spends more time trying to correct a mess of static than actually playing, while midway through their set a falling crash cymbal has to be rescued by a rogue fan jumping out of the crowd. Despite the many setbacks, you can't argue with Death Of You, City Limits and Russian Doll. Even the band sees the humour in the calamity thrust upon them, though there's little care in the crowd as Purple Heart shreds the mess of bodies pushing forward.

Under the darkened hum of a heartbeat intro, the silhouetted Dead Letter Circus launch straight into Next In Line, shaking the previously sleepy room into life. Eyes in the crowd widen slightly as guitarist Clint Vincent drops to fix yet another technical gaff with help from a crew member for the evening; it appears thankfully to be a false alarm. The group meld perfectly, with the reduced size room allowing an intimacy rare for the band given their recent successes. Vocalist Kim Benzie is flawless in delivery and brutal in his energy, firing into the manic melody of The Mile and the double punch of Reaction and Lines. Dropping in new cut, Change The Concept slows the band's momentum little; if anything it simply whets the appetite for their upcoming release. With the crowd now a sweaty mess and the band plastered with smiles, the band let loose with the fierce energy and mammoth nature of Here We Divide and One Step, teasing the room with the announcement: "We'll see you in October."