Live Review: Gignition: Ethereal, Silver Hills, TJ O’Donovan & Toni Etherson

The Railway Hotel may have forgone the gentrification that saddles most suburban pub redevelopments, but they've happily taken on those venues' inflated prices. Pints of beer don't just limp over the ten-dollar barrier; rather, they give it an atomic wedgie and send it back to its mumma. And $8.80 for a stubby of Melbourne Bitter? Naturally.

But enough of that – let's talk about the musicians, who would've deservedly walked away with a cut of the door takings had anyone been there to collect it. The pint-sized Toni Etherson cut a small figure on stage but her rich voice, of which she was in complete control of, was immense. There was ingenuity in cover choices and a confidence that ensured she was captivating from start to finish. TJ O'Donovan continued the solo acoustic vibe but added intrigue with the shrewd use of a loop pedal. The instrumental Mornin' Blues was particularly engrossing as neat guitar lines and some creative percussion were layered expertly on each other before the tender Flesh & Bone capped a memorable set. Seasoned player Johnny McIntyre was heartfelt and earnest but lacked variety, and before long songs melted into each other. His is a voice that has incredible power but its muscle should be flexed less frequently. The self-proclaimed 'psychedelic shoe gaze' of five-piece Silver Hills was, as the name suggests, up and down. There were some impressive moments when the band came together tightly and loudly, but at other times the keyboardist's influence went missing. The '90s pop-rock of final act Ethereal was less inventive, but their choruses landed lustily and there was energy in spades. It was a more polished performance and fittingly ended another Gignition spectacle.