Live Review: #1 Dads, Ainslie Wills, Machine Age

Past the Socceroo-loving crowd packing Northcote Social Club’s front bar, one-man-band Machine Age plays to a less raucous bunch in the bandroom.

With just a guitar and a tiny deck stacked on three milk crates, Machine Age creates impressive electro-rock sounds full of chimes, crackles and mellow lulls. “Anyone know the score? Still one-nil?” he asks, proving his chops as both a multi-talented musician and a patriotic sports buff.

Flanked by a full band, Ainslie Wills steps up next and she’s ready to weave spells over all with her evocative voice. Lemon Japan gets her dancing as the band lets rip on the bouncy chorus.

Sharing concerns about having lipstick plastered across her face thanks to a too-close-to-the-mic singing technique, Wills presses on to introduce new tracks from her soon-to-be released second album. Luscious, spectral and deep; Wills’ fans are definitely in for a treat with these new beauties. Oldie Stop Pulling The String sees Wills getting her dance on again while smiles are exchanged between guitarist Lawrence Folvig and drummer Arron Light during the funky little bridge. Wills leaves all too soon after trying out new single Drive, a forceful rocky number closing out with some gunning guitar and bass.

After starting with the smoldering My Rush, Tom Iansek (aka #1 Dads) makes the squishy sold-out crowd panic for a split-second as he wishes all a Happy Father’s Day (in January?).

A dude cuts through the confusion calling out, “I love you Tom!” More muted drumbeats introduce the pining Nominal, during which Iansek croons and sways, oozing out seriously heart-melting charm. He dedicates Camberwell to anyone who’s ever lived in a sharehouse and this jaunty little number offers a brilliant Kenny G moment when bass player-turned-brass master Angus Rigby lets loose with a ripping saxophone solo. Wills joins the guys on stage to bring the superb So Soldier to life, but it all ends in drama when the stage lights inexplicably black out.

Finishing off in darkness, an amused shrug from Iansek and a giggled final vocal from Wills makes it all better. Second guest Tom Snowdon soon explodes a bomb of ethereal otherworldliness on the sublime Return To. Snowdon moves beautifully around the mic like he’s swimming through the air, leaving everyone pretty much stunned. Finishing after both Wills and Snowdon return to the stage for Sleepwalking, punters receive palpable aural satisfaction. Tom Iansek, you are indeed a #1 Gigmaster.