Live Review: Cherry Rock 2013

On a typically bleary Melbourne Sunday afternoon CherryRock13 sees brethren of the rock genre crowd into AC/DC lane for a plethora of acts covering most styles of rock. With every main-stage act making some mention/hilarious joke about the construction company Merkon (who have conveniently placed a sign directly above the stage advertising the brand new shiny building they are constructing) the festival has an uneasy vibe to it, with many wondering if this last little grungy corner of the CBD will be able to survive the waves of gentrification that are still to come.

At their second time performing at the festival, Melbourne act Barbariön do their best to get everyone into the mood for rock. They are an incredibly tight band; however, once you get over the gimmicky aspects of a whole bunch of scantily-clad white dudes of varying levels of fitness hip-thrusting to their own version of Viking rock, you realise that their music is a little bit dull. Especially for 3pm. Kudos must be given to singer Frankie Gionfriddo, who personally goes up to punters yelling in their face, “Give me an ARGGGHHHH!!!!!”

Mammoth Mammoth lead singer Mikey Tucker also employs a similar version of audience interaction many a time, jumping down into the crowd to give very practical demonstrations of how to mosh. His screeching, high-energy vocals epitomise the no bullshit rock style of guitar, bass, drums and a whole lot of head bashing. Everyone gets involved, from the subtle affirmation bang of “yeah man, that's real good man” to the full body affair of air guitar, swirling hair and a whole bunch of flexible lanky glory.

Apart from the very unwelcome interruption of the creepy flying robot camera, Chris Russell's Chicken Walk go down a treat, with long bluesy solos, infectious slow rhythms and guttural choruses. His a cappella number is ballsy but pays off wonderfully, being one of the highlights of the afternoon.

Matt Sonic & The High Times exhibit some nice dreamy melodies but are a little too pop-punk for the Cherry vibe. Furthermore, the lead singer's almost desperate pleas to get the audience to make more noise get annoying. However, extra special props must be given these guys for being the only band with a female member who make it on the bill after 5pm.

When King Parrot take the stage it is like being punched in the face by an epileptic fit. “Let's see some fucking moshing! If you need to wake up here is some water!” yells lead singer Youngy just before throwing two litres of water into the first 12 rows of revelers. Their music is characterised by double bass kicks, impossibly fast guitar riffs and ear-splittingly vitriolic hate. These guys are definitely one of the best thrash outfits going around.

Truckfighters deliver the goods, living up to their slogan of being “probably the best band in the world”. Their music represents everything that is great about the prog-rock genre: interesting riffs and great rhythms that deliver a wall of sound that never gets tired or boring. Dango's and Ozo's double stage dive is the perfect way to conclude the set.

Headliners Unida don't really follow up on the groundswell of positivity left by Truckfighters. Bristling guitar riffs from Arthur Seay and clear high pitched vocals from John Garcia do create an electric vibe in the crowd, however. It is this buzz that everyone takes home as they stumble out of the lane and are swallowed again by the big bad CBD.