Live Review: Andy Bull, Petty Crimes

Lucky enough to score a spot on the 10th anniversary of The Northcote Social Club, Andy Bull fans casually stride in and fill the room to its full capacity. From doors opening, Petty Crimes are due to play. After what should have been half an hour into their set, we realise the starting act is a DJ. Feeding the audience with familiar upbeat tunes sets a good vibe for the bandroom and although everyone seems relaxed, the room is not short of energy.

Andy Bull jumps up, kicking the night of with a song the band jams to. Bull's soaring vocals set the bar, accompanied by the lead guitarist Alex Bennison shredding the scales and dancing as though he's being electrocuted. The next song The Hill is beautiful and interesting and harmonies are added to the line, "Why would I add something to me". Since charming the 'j's with his hits, slowly the poetry behind Bull's sound stands out and, although his is quite upbeat music that makes you want to dance, it becomes apparent Bull has felt a lot in his time. Moving on after the favoured Baby I Am Nobody Now, he runs the crowd through the songwriting process for the last song for his album and jokes about how he had to scrape the bottom of the barrel to find some more emotions to sing about. Then, while driving through his hometown, he found a beautiful track So That I Can Feel Better which a lot of people who have moved from their hometown for various reason can relate to as he belts out, "Reminds me of why I left so I can leave again".

Bull delivers some pearls of wisdom tonight and, observing the crowd, a lot of people are clearly here because they can empathise with his lyrics and, of course, love his sound. Going on to sing Dog, Bennison takes the harmonies since Bull is minus the female talent Lisa Mitchell by his side, and the majority of the audience helps out too. There is always big talk about who plays the best Like A Version for the triple j segment and, although not this scribe's favourite over all, Everybody Wants To Rule The World is very well-rehearsed, fun and slowly creeps it's way up to top three status. This is due to the enjoyment we see in Bull's band get out of preforming the song and also how that passion is transmitted to the crowd.