Live Review: Gossling, Little Scout, Whitaker

The mixed crowd of uni students and older folk lovers filtered slowly into the Oxford Art Factory on Saturday night for opening act Whitaker. Lead singer Ryan Meeking, also doubling as guitarist for main act Gossling, was a firm favourite with the crowd (perhaps something to do with his hipster good looks?) as they played some hauntingly beautiful tracks that warmed up the early crowd nicely.

Brisbane quintet Little Scout followed with an interesting indie pop sound, if a little unpolished in parts. Are You Life, from the new album of the same name, started the set and things really picked up for tracks March Over To Me and Go Quietly. A great cover of Kim Carne's classic, Bette Davis Eyes, really made singer Melissa Tickle's vocals shine and was a great finisher to their set.

A full house greeted the beautiful Helen Croome, aka Gossling, to the stage for the last gig of her tour to promote debut album, Harvest Of Gold. As delicate and sweet in real life as in her songs, she was captivating on stage with her child-like voice and equally girly get-up. Big Love started proceedings as she took up position behind her trusty keyboard.

Title track, Harvest Of Gold, followed, and then catchy number, Rose, before she swapped keys for an acoustic guitar. A duet with Meeking offered a lovely rendition of break-up track, Songs Of Summer, their vocals working in perfect harmony together. Despite an alcohol-fuelled Saturday night crowd, Gossling managed to keep everyone's attention and voices hushed throughout even the softest of ballads.

The pace picked up with a few eager dancers edging to the front of the stage for hit, Wild Love, before a cover of Everclear's '90s classic, Santa Monica. The upbeat Never Expire finished the set as the crowd finally got involved, dancing and singing along. A very brief encore was followed by hit, I Was Young, which really lifted the room and left everyone cheering.

A solid performance and maximum respect for pulling off so many slow songs on a bustling Saturday night in Sydney.