Live Review: High-tails, Games Night

Dense guitar tremolos rang out over static feedback as Games Night welcomed in rain-soaked punters from the cold.

The recently formed Sydney band were bouncy on stage and relished in each other's company as catchy guitar riffs played over distinctly Aussie accented vocal lines. Various Sydney acts got a shout out as well as the Golden Age Cinema & Bar itself from vocalist Jonas Nicholls, who respectfully acknowledged the array of artists it had previously hosted.

"Walk in the room. What do you see?" asked High-tails lead man Nicholas Griffith during set opener Information. Well, for such a small venue, The Golden Age Cinema's bar was quite an eyeful to take in, especially when the golden curtains that covered the back wall were pulled aside to reveal a four-piece band jamming behind it. The drinking table shared by patrons was thankfully removed to allow in more punters to help pack the venue.

Up on stage, High-tails were squished up next to each other with mirrors surrounding them at every angle. The disco ball that shined above them turned out to be an appropriate prop, complementing the nostalgically dreamy yet infectiously danceable new tunes the Sydney-based band previewed in celebration of their upcoming album, A Slight Hi.

One of the first of these newbies, Sushi Train, came in the form of swirly synths and groovy slap bass, accompanied by the lush vocals of both Griffith and bassist Felix Colman. Drummer Toby Davis expertly wove a fast-paced drum machine into latest single All The Time that even had passers-by on the street stopping to dance - visible from the window above.

Griffith's crisp, clean guitar licks remain a driving force behind many of these unreleased tracks, as the band continue to steer in a new sonic direction. The gracious and engaged crowd who braved the wet weather to get a glimpse of High-tails' fresh material weren't disappointed - their faith in these country-come-city boys proved to be worth it.