Live Review: Loon Lake

As David Bowie's Heroes blares through the venue sound system, it's difficult to secure a vantage point just before Loon Lake o'clock. The black curtains don't quite shut to conceal the equipment onstage and some visuals of landscapes are being tested out on this irregular surface, which creates an unusual Uncle Arthur's slide show-type vibe. The curtains are then physically drawn open to reveal the band onstage as they rip into latest single On Fire. They're on fire alright, even if the cloud formations dancing across the cyclorama don't exactly suit the song, and immediately each member's prowess is on display.

“Melbourne, you beautiful bastards!” frontman Sam Nolan enthuses; these blokes certainly celebrate their Australianness. Of course drummer Nick Nolan swigs from a stubbie while nonchalantly operating his kick drum, look-mum-no-hands style. There's a token Nirvana t-shirt up there and this band of three brothers, plus two mates, don't hit a bum note all night.  When Sam Nolan bullies bassist “Timmy” Lowe, a punter yells out, “Yeah, get the music going!” Bad To Me follows and the crowd liven up, singing along with this earlier track. Loon Lake are launching their debut album Gloamer on this touring leg, sure, but tonight's set balance would have benefitted by interspersing new tracks in between songs from the EPs to ease fans into this more unfamiliar territory. Either Cherry Lips or In The Summer getting an earlier airing would've done it.

One of the new songs borrows heavily from Craig David's Seven Days, given each day of the week is included in the lyrics. Theirs may be a simple sound, but it's catchy as hell and Loon Lake do it oh-so well. You could go so far as to say that these Tarrawingee-bred blokes (all except guitarist Daniel Bull) are national treasures.