Live Review: The High Learys, Moana, The Spunloves, Buddy Phoenix

Fans were out early at the Rosemount Hotel on Friday night to catch a great line-up of local rock bands there for the launch of psychedelic four-piece The High Learys' new single, Letters To Alice. The night started with indie blues duo Buddy Phoenix who performed a tight set of originals that managed to get the crowd energised early.

Next up was garage pop four-piece The Spunloves, who launched into an upbeat, reverb-heavy version of Leak which unfortunately was so rocking that guitarist David Vulin broke a string and needed a spare from one of The High Learys. After a quick tune-up the band was back in fine form, carrying on with great versions of Chlorine Eyes, She Is You and Ballroom Blues. 

Taking to the stage next to deliver their unique brand of dark psychedelic rock was four-piece Moana, who immediately got the crowd's attention with the heavy, driving sounds of Golden Orb. The band continued with thunderous versions of Cloud Mother and The Killer, My Girl, both featuring some fantastic guitar work from both Moana Lutton and Beau Jones that, along with some great playing from the rhythm section of Javan Gorham and Lochy Hoffmann, made for an excellent performance culminating with the band delivering a great cover of The Dead Weather's Treat Me Like Your Mother before finishing strong with their own dark, brooding track Vader.

Finally it was time for the lads from The High Learys to take to the stage. Up with them was new drummer Mitchell J Benson, who seemed to fit in just fine as the band kicked into a rip-roaring version of Conversations In The Sun, followed by the groove-laden I'll Be Around. The band continued with rousing versions of Cabinet and The Girl Who Gave The Game Away before it came time to play the song everyone had come for. With a flurry of organ notes, the band launched into new single Letters To Alice, exploding into some tight rhythm work from Matt Williams held down by Jamie Turner's powerful vocals and solid bass playing. 

After that the band powered through a great version of You're No Good that led into an extended jam featuring killer solos, before finishing with a great version of live favourite Clear My Mind, leaving to a great response from the audience and capping off a great night of local music.