Live Review: Big Iron, Angharad Drake

The Hideaway is a venue that has mastered the art of making you feel at home while you're out: it's just out of the way enough to miss the often raucous shenanigans of the Valley, there's a comfortable couch for everyone who wants one, the drinks are cheap, the faces are friendly – it's the perfect lazy night out!

Brisbane-based folk songstress Angharad Drake enhances this laidback ambience with her minimalistic yet beautiful melodies. Taking the stage armed only with an acoustic guitar can be a tricky gig to master, however Drake seems a natural. There's something about her voice that commands complete attention, while compelling you to learn her story. There's also a soothing quality to her songs, which make you feel as though everything is going to be alright: an astounding quality coming from a performer so young. When called upon, a foot pedal creates sweet accompanying harmonies, yet it almost seems unnecessary as her voice is so alluring on its own. Included in her setlist is a cover of Passenger's Caravan, before the performance is rounded out with a beautiful original.

The Big Iron lads bring a heavier artillery to proceedings – double bass, drums, banjo as well as acoustic and electric guitar are the ingredients for this ultimate alt-country hoedown. The entertainment starts right from soundcheck, as they test out the sound with a quick rendition of Slim Dusty's Duncan. Once the set actually begins it quickly becomes apparent that theirs is a performance with just the right amount of everything: entertaining and light-hearted banter between songs, admirable musicality, laughter, seriousness, drinking, dancing and camaraderie. This balance is highlighted when the banjo player creates a laugh by leaving the stage mid-set for a quick bathroom break, only to come back moments later to take vocal duties for an incredibly powerful rendition of The Kill Devil Hills' Drinking Too Much. While the song is being performed, the frontman buys the band a round of drinks, which adds a touch of playful irony to the equation. Their own songs are just as compelling – tracks like Milton (a relatable ode to our very own inner city suburb) make you laugh, while Matilda inspires playful dancing. What's most impressive about the Big Iron set, however, is that they've successfully managed to bring an element of style to the country genre, without compromising its carefree and joyous nature. As these guys are relatively new to the scene you'd be forgiven for not recognising the name, however, you've now been told – Big Iron are a band to watch!