Live Review: Greta Mob, The Holy Soul, Darren Cross

The smaller, intimate Factory Floor was the venue for tonight's proceedings opened by none other than Darren Cross (ex-Gerling), who treated the small but appreciative crowd to a selection of beautiful, mesmerising songs that were part country, part blues, part trance. Don't know how that worked, but it did, as most of the audience was clearly entranced. The sweet Every Creep In Town stood out, as did the new single, Hit The Quit, currently getting some well-deserved airplay on Dig.
The Holy Soul played a lively, fun-infused set that showcased some newer songs as well as some favourites. Sporting a tighter, rawer sound than previously heard by this reviewer, they seem to be moving away from the psychedelic vibe of the last few years towards something that more resembles Lou Reed at his rockiest with elements of Television; melodic, tight, punk-infused rock at its finest. Special mention to the rhythm section this show, as Kate Wilson's neat drumming and Sam Worrad's dynamic bass lines kept the momentum going.
Sydney band, Greta Mob, have only been around a mere couple of years or so but they've already carved themselves a significant niche as a formidable live act. This show did not disappoint. The cosy Factory Floor assumed a den-like atmosphere as the Mob took the audience on a narrative journey, borrowing from blues, folk, rock and psychedelic punk and putting it all through what frontman Rhyece O'Neill aptly called “the mob filter” – reflecting the fact that in a seemingly short time, the band have managed to develop a distinctive sound and mythology that is both undeniably Australian yet somewhat alien; rooted in historical reference, while neither of then nor of now but swimming somewhere in the middle. My feeling is that this swell is merely the beginning of a big wave for Greta Mob if they continue developing musically and artistically.