Live Review: The Temper Trap, Alpine, Mt Warning

North Coast five-piece, MT Warning, warmed up the eager and young early crowd. Singer Mikey Bee, flanked by an uber-cool collection of lads and ladies, showed some solid guitar prowess and a powerful voice to boot.

The theatrical and captivating Alpine appeared next, with singers Phoebe Baker and Lou James a yin and yang of voices and outfits on stage, as they harmonised beautifully through a selection of dreamy indie tracks. Hits Hands, Gasoline and Villages got a great reception, as the band became more animated with Björk-like movements and squeals.

A packed crowd – half older music fans, half young squealing girls – greeted The Temper Trap with a huge roar as they entered the stage in a pulse of red strobe lights. Classic track Love Lost opened the set with singer Dougy Mandagi showing he meant business with big vocals and an equally loud leopard print shirt to match. Fader had the crowd singing along to every word, before newer tracks This Isn't Happiness and Rabbit Hole picked up the pace with a dramatic finish and spectacular light show. B-side Everybody Leaves In The End got its first live outing in Sydney, with its beautiful harmonies and hymn-like melody getting a solid reception.

Mandagi's impressive voice continued to build as the rest of the band members showed off their skills, switching instruments throughout the set and proving that they are truly a band with solid musical talent. Down River and Soldier On were great examples of this, with the crowd going wild for Mandagi's perfectly pitched vocals in the latter.

New track, Summer's Almost Gone, also got its first airing in Sydney. The gentle love song was nice enough, but a number of technical issues took away its shine. Science Of Fear brought things back up to pace with Mandagi jumping into the crowd in the excitement. A solid version of Drum Song, complete with the water on the drums trick, finished the set before the encore.

Back on stage, Trembling Hands got everyone in the crowd swaying their arms in unison before epic favourite Sweet Disposition finished the set with spine-tingling greatness and another crowd surf from Mandagi. A great band, solid performance and thoroughly contented crowd.