BugsThe boys from Brisbane trio Bugs have had a busy year; since opening Falls Festival for triple j Unearthed last year, they've taken their hit single Neighbourhood around the country, released a new single Glue and dropped their second EP Social Slump. To celebrate, the boys have hit the road again, playing their hometown gig tonight at Black Bear Lodge.
Opening are local indie-garage outfit The PBs. Clearly ready for a good time, the four-piece exude a contagious energy that coaxes early punters out of their seats and onto the dancefloor. Raspy vocals from Sam Hodgkinson and Alex Fuss are backed by some hectic drum fills from Anthony Lawrence, creating a frantic sound that refuses to spare any foot from tapping. Having just released their first EP, My Actual Dad, these boys are definitely ones to watch.
Next up is local, all-girl four-piece Pink Matter. Their self-described " neo-soul" vibes are in full effect, with frontwoman Kerry Raywood's buttery-smooth vocals transforming Black Bear Lodge into a shadowy jazz club. Their funky basslines, catchy keyboard melodies and use of snare create a truly unique sound that the Brisbane music scene is severely lacking. These girls are effortlessly cool and know what they're about. Stay tuned for their first EP, set to be released in the near future.
Finally, the time has come for homegrown heroes, Bugs, to take the stage. In typical Bugs fashion, bassist Jordan Brunoli wastes no time in getting half-naked, while frontman Connor Brooker and Brock Weston (drums) launch headfirst into crowd favourite When I Know. It's difficult to tell who is more psyched for the boys to be home, the crowd or Bugs themselves. The dancefloor has quickly become a mess of sweaty bodies and things are only getting wetter as the boys deliver possibly the rowdiest rendition of Cher's Believe ever. With seemingly endless amounts of energy, Brooker and Brunoli shred and headbang their way through new hit Time and their 2017 banger Neighbourhood.
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As they launch into the classic crowd-favourite Instant Coffee, a particularly excited punter invades the stage and throws himself at the crowd, who catch him with open arms. From here a spectacular display of crowd-surfing ensues, eventually culminating in Brunoli getting in on the action and riding the crowd during the final encore song Esky Lid.
It is impossible to walk away from a Bugs gig without a smile. The boys' loveable charm and high-energy performance style make for a gig like no other.
