Live Review: The Preatures, Ali Barter, Letters To Lions

Local act Letters To Lions set the vibes for the whole night, opening with an upbeat set in Miranda's Carmen hotel, acknowledging that it was their first gig in a while and quipped, "But we've got new guitar strings." A highlight was Krystal, which the boys seem to loved playing as much as the crowd did hearing it. The talent of their guitarist is outstanding, his soaring and wandering playing making them a band to keep tabs on.

Ali Barter opened with Please Stay, her pure and clear voice ringing out across the crowd. Barter seems incapable of writing a song that isn't fun and memorable, but her onstage presence is almost subdued in contrast to the vitality and attitude of her songs, like Cigarette.

Barter finished up the set with crowd favourite Girlie Bits, her iconic voice perfectly pairing with the tight rhythm of the guitar.

Now into their third month of touring around regional Australia, The Preatures must be able to play their set in their sleep. Opening to an eager crowd with Girlhood, they displayed no signs of fatigue. They then went straight into Somebody's Talking, getting heads bobbing and maintaining the high generated by their opener.

Radiating energy, lead singer Isabella Manfredi cheerfully chatted to the appreciative locals about life on the road and the great Australian Outback they have had the privilege of exploring over the last few months.

Songs from 2014's Blue Planet Eyes such as Ordinary really brought the crowd to life, the almost tropical beat forcing even the most resistant of toes to tap. The Preatures covered The Angels' Am I Ever Going To See Your Face Again and it went down a treat.

Manfredi started winding up the set with hit Is This How You Feel?, which seemed to be what people were waiting for as everyone in the venue knew the lyrics start to finish.

The Preatures closed with Yanada, which is a track with lyrics from the Indigenous Darug language — a respectful nod to Australia's traditional custodians. The song was written with Darug songwoman Jacinta Tobin with the hopeful outcome of encouraging Australians to consider and connect with the ancient culture that we too often brush over.

The Preatures played a dynamic and engaging set and the general message to really get acquainted with your own backyard was expertly communicated by three of the finest acts in Australia right now. The Preatures are fantastic local talent, and the packed venue shows they maintain a loyal fan base in their home state.