Live Review: Born Joy Dead, Dom Miller, March Of The Real Fly, Sports Fan

Raucous locals Sports Fan open the evening by means of using every available inch of stage space to show us their stuff, which is a pretty distinct shout-out to the vibes of Ben Folds, though sans guitars. Playful keys, heart-wrenching bass and slick drums results in a pretty loud show; a tight and effortless live set.

March Of The Real Fly are ultra sweet and full of airy harmonies during their second slot set, a welcoming soundtrack as The Brightside continues to slowly fill. The Sydney quartet are a treat to see and seem to be having their own kind of fun; ukuleles, keys and dancing crowds will do that to a band. Delicate new single Flower is but one of many sweet tracks the audience graciously lap up.
    
This evening we are treated to Dom Miller as a solo show. There are fewer people but it’s by no means less entertaining as he takes us on a journey of witty quips and gleeful melodies. The super joyful single Clap Your Hands is just one of the many charismatic, buoyant tunes to have everyone following such instructions.

Local gents Born Joy Dead have garnered a bit of a following as their live presence gains momentum, evident in the packed house of The Brightside. Lead singer Ben Dalton of Hungry Kids Of Hungary notoriety leads the charge with a fun, energetic show of gracious familiarity. A couple of newer tracks kick off proceedings, leading into the more recognisable tracks, recent favourites Hey Blood and Upside Down, Inside Out compelling all in attendance to get up on their feet and sing along.

As the set continues, the excitement swells and gig-goers take to the dance floor to indulge in the high-energy atmosphere; the four-piece mirror the excitement. As the set winds down, BJD rip into their well-versed cover of Slice Of Heaven – the once ‘80s anthem now featuring a snappy lyric change to a confession of love for luncheon meat, aptly renamed Slice Of Devon. There’s a hearty round of applause, a few squeals, and so ends a night that feels so much bigger than a local show.