Live Review: Lost City 3: Endless Possibilities Forever

Day 1

Lost City 3: Endless Possibilities Forever is a two-day music and art festival curated by the ever-loved Brad Cameron, who is also behind popular Adelaide nightspot Ancient World. The event transforms the Queen's Theatre into a futuristic warehouse party where intense visual projections complement the musicians in psychedelic spectacle.

Adelaide femme fatale Joy & Sparkes took the audience on a prolific journey with her voice. The dim interior of Queen's Theatre allowed for a grimy feel that really worked to her advantage. Where do people learn how to sing? How do some people have a latent talent to project and express where others don't? This is exactly what you will be asking yourself about Joy & Sparkes — a must see!

The Yabbies also performed terrifically, the local outfit's focssed and riff-laden couture hugely satisfying. Hard-hitting enough to sit alongside any of the various kings of grunge, yet accessible enough to appeal to a wide audience, The Yabbies are owning seriously good rock music.

Sydney's Chunyin was a stellar highlight in regards to Lost City's electronic offerings. Chunyin's heavy bass stylings and acute skills both in layering and repetition, make for simultaneous reaction of pure awe and satisfaction. A treat for real connoisseurs, those who go see Chunyin in the future can expect it to be downright dirty!

Xanga were a sight to behold, and an earful to the imagination. As infectious as they are highly original and a creative delight. One can't help but dance while subjected to the duo's bright and vibrant music. Filled with tribal drums, beat box and crazy beats Xanga also had the most powerful visual accompaniment, made better yet by Lost City's massive main stage projection screen.

Urtekk were another act that thrived in the unique atmosphere. Performing with an unparalleled seriousness Urtekk certainly pushed their artistry. The four-piece live techno act was tight and intriguing. Drummer Ben Smith is particularly commendable.

The Shaolin Afronauts were a perfect late night consumption for Lost City. Crammed on the stage their heavily layered afro-soul tore the crowd up in a tornado of dancing feet, wiggling bottoms and shaking arms. Lost City's opening night was kick ass!

Day 2

Lost City 3 returned on its second day with just as much force as the first, and perhaps unveiling the more experimental side of its line-up. Local solo outfit Eyes More Skulls Than Eyes delivered an ambient array of doomy shoegaze, laden with pedal-induced distortion. Wireheads, one of Adelaide's most beloved alternative bands, took to the stage to deliver their quirky rock'n'roll, complete with flute, violin and multiple guitars. A jangly proliferation of bodies twisted and jived on stage as they made their way through their set.

Michael Ellingford, an experimental noise musician, performed from off of the stage, a few feet into the crowd, beginning a well curated slew of artists who sit left of the curve. Will Guthrie, a solo percussionist, gave Virgil Donati a run for his money with his atmospheric and technically bewildering drumming skills. The unconventional time signatures and highly populated soundscapes still fit into the bubble of avant garde noise, with Guthrie's set swelling from soft, calculated rim shots and brushes across various cymbals before culminating in a dizzying crescendo of double-kick drumming.

Joel Stern performed a set of electric LED music, where in sounds are generated by manipulating differing lights. For this set a speaker was placed in each corner of the room, and the audience spread 360 degrees around Stern who operated in the centre, pacing around and utilising different props. It was a compelling audiovisual experience that blurred the line between music, art and street performance. SA's Sparkspitter played one of their best sets to date, it's almost painful waiting for them to break through, as they will no doubt make the festival circuit soon. Capacity, from their recent EP Doxa, proves instrumental songs can be tearjerkers too.

Headliners My Disco were the culmination of all the hard work put into Lost City 3. The genre-bending band played in near darkness with their combination of multiple extremes, those being crushing noise tones, gentle ambience and complete silence. The effect is commanding and sobering. My Disco are a must see. Winding down the party were Adelaide locals West Thebarton Brothel Party. The seven-piece had a hard slog winding down the fest post headliner, but that didn't stop them from showing off their place as Adelaide's most unique and raucous garage rock band.