Live Review: Kingswood, Mane

The Zoo holds history under its rafters, as it has acted as a home to so many artists over the years. It is a classic Fortitude Valley venue and an integral part of Brisbane's music history. With that in mind, we can assume that those who are able to play that stage, are going to put on one hell of a show. Melbourne four-piece Kingswood are no exception. With their support act Mane warming up the venue in complete style and poise, gig-goers settle in with an energetic anticipation.

Kingswood stroll onto the stage, bringing big smiles and a welcoming demeanour and the room feels fuller in their presence. The band opens with Library Books and the energy is felt from the get-go. Kingswood immediately utilise the whole stage which helps to increase the hype from the crowd. The show has no elaborate stage production or lighting setup, yet they manage to maintain vivacity and a strong atmosphere throughout the gig. Noticeable is the way the boys are able to regulate the volume of their instruments and vocals, maintaining a consistent level that requires a level of control worthy of commendation.

Unlike a lot of gigs, it is evident throughout this show that the people having the most fun in the room are the band. Rarely do we ever see a band of undeniable talent take such a lighthearted approach to their performance method, but the boys bring a sense of lightness to their show and it's a feeling that's shared among the entire room. Lead singer Fergus Linacre and lead guitarist/vocalist Alex Laska are the roots of this element. They bring so much personality into their performance and provide the right level of cheek and humour to set them apart from other bands, giving them that extra something.

We see highlight performances in some of their more well-known tracks, including ICFTYDLM, for which Linacre breaks out the tambourine for a sexy, fun and slightly daggy performance. Big City provides an opportunity for a very intimate sing-along from the crowd and Ohio is almost entirely performed by the audience in a passionate recital. After a speech of gratitude from Linacre, the 90-minute set from Kingswood ends on an inarguable high with final number Creepin, an obvious choice. With an amazing instrumental break, the atmosphere is electric and acts as a stellar ending to an even more impressive show.

If this gig is any indication of what is to come from Kingswood, then they've got some big things in store for us. Sneaking in some unreleased tracks, they give us a taste of what they're working on and show a different side to their sound. Expect their next release to be packed with funky tunes which incorporate some disco inspired sounds. With the purity of talent that Kingswood has proved to possess throughout this show, their next gig might be on a bigger stage as they progress further and further in both the national and international scenes.