Live Review: City Calm Down, Foreign/National, The Rememberz, Blush Response

In a change of pace from the recent DJ-slash-producer heavy line-ups, the bands were back at Rocket Bar on Friday night with Melbourne post-punks City Calm Down heading a four-artist bill, currently touring in the lead-up to the release of their debut LP In A Restless House.

Led by Alister Douglas, Blush Response opened the night to a short albeit tidy set of dreamy shoegaze sounds. Fuzzy guitar tones rolling over the top of one another play a key component to the band's sound, coming together in their standout track Dead Air.

The Rememberz aren't your typical western, slacker rock band. For one, member Dave Blumbergs quite regularly trades in the sounds of his rhythm guitar for stirring clarinet solos as the band filters through from song to song. After a bright start, grabbing most of the crowd's attention early with their experimental and jangled sounds, The Rememberz unfortunately began to wane mid-set and drifted out towards the end as many songs were a bit too same-same in their live renditions.

Tour pals Foreign/National took to the stage with Rocket Bar now well and truly packed, and certainly did not disappoint. Mixing in material from last year's EP and several newer tracks, Foreign/National's jazzy psych pop sounds radiated throughout the venue and went down a treat for many who were experiencing their first taste of the Melbourne outfit. Big props to Sam Stearne for a dreamy show on keys, where for once the keys weren't drowned out at all and were given a chance to flourish.

It has been three long years since the release of their debut EP, and with a debut LP a mere six weeks away, the anticipation for what is coming is substantial. The highly awaited return of City Calm Down was emphasised by the mere handful of tickets left post-presale. They did not disappoint. Vocalist Jack Bourke's performance was spot on, enchanting the crowd with his onstage charisma and keeping them there with a soaring vocal performance. Released and debuted only last week at their Melbourne show, Son builds and builds, full of that new wave influence and the extensive rhythms we have come to expect and adore from the band. Closing out the night with their synth-and bass-heavy crowd favourite Dare, City Calm Down proved they are back, bolder and more impressive than ever.