Live Review: The Delta Riggs, The Walking Who, Born Lion, The Mountains

3 October 2013 | 11:14 am | Kristy Wandmaker

It is easy to see how they’ll own the stadiums they will one day be playing.

More The Delta Riggs More The Delta Riggs

Banjo! That's what you notice first when watching The Mountains. Then Peter Avard's low, smooth voice. Then the wonderful higher pitched but honey-toned harmonies of Matty Took. They are modern Australian folk personified, with tales of the everyman and an alt-country sound that's instantly warm and comforting.

Born Lion knew they were an odd fit for this bill, but when the rock is this good, who really gives a stuff? Falling somewhere between radio-friendly Foo Fighters and cult heroes The Bronx, Born Lion rock with a rhythm that will rough you up like a cat's tongue in your ear. D Is For Danger was great to hear live, and the shouty Livin' Tough was mesmerisingly tight.

The Walking Who change line-up every time they play. Not subtly either, going from three to five to seven members on any given night. It's a good thing then that their music is the kind of straight-up psych jam that was born of a love of Floyd and Reed. The addition of female vocals was a nice reprieve. Their sound, and line-up, is amoebic with the super talented three main members able to roll with whatever's smoking.

You don't know how many Delta Riggs songs you already know: Rah Rah Radio, Counter Revolution, All The Little People, and a LCD Soundsystem cover thrown in. They're one of those unassuming bands that will become gods without too much fuss, relying on their sheer talent and ability to entertain to create the buzz for them. Hammond is the single best frontman this reviewer has seen in the last two years: a tasty ball of affable, sexy, commanding and blokey wrapped in denim. Clearly relaxed with his mates on tour, they managed to have the in-jokes but include the crowd, gently ribbing the shy audience into life, as well as Rohin Brown from The Walking Who as he chatted up a bird at the bar. It is easy to see how they'll own the stadiums they will one day be playing.

Don't miss a beat with our FREE daily newsletter