Live Review: Against Me!, Joyce Manor, Mere Women

Last time Florida punk quartet Against Me! played Sydney in 2013 new drummer Adam Willard had only weeks to learn all the band’s songs. Later that same year Swede Inge Johansson joined the band on bass and thus the current line-up was set in stone.

Before Against Me! brought their blistering show to the stage, atmospheric trio Mere Women conjured up some slightly off-kilter soundscapes, powered by squally guitars and hollow-sounding but effective drums. Cleaning up the mix on the keyboards would have given the band just that extra little punch. 

Californians Joyce Manor blazed through their short, sharp pop-punk with little finesse but a lot of energy, though they were shown up by the headliners who added the weight of their considerable collective experience to short and sharp songs, turning the gig into something fiery and cathartic.

Right from the moment lead singer Laura Jane Grace stepped up to the microphone the audience joined in, giving the impression the lived experience of Grace’s songwriting has meant more to the all ages audience than just a throwaway pop song.

Singing through a blanket of hair, Grace revelled in not only the audience’s appreciation, but also the camaraderie and passion of her band mates, songs such as The Ocean; Sink, Florida, Sink; and Thrash Unreal really setting the enthusiastic crowd on fire.