Live Review: Gunslingers, Pretty City, Covers

Glittery gold curtains line the dimly lit bandroom’s walls and there's a fern centre-stage.

All 15 of us who came down early in this 33 degree heat are greeted by Melbourne three-piece, Covers. "Heeeeey, we're called Covers. Thanks for coming down early. Let us know if the fern's a bit much, because we'll get that out here,” the lead singer jokes feebly. Covers start off with a rocky number and the small crowd move forward with interest. Although Covers’ stage presence is a little awkward, there’s lots of synthy psychedelic rock jams to keep us entertained.

Next up are Pretty City. Starting a fashionable ten minutes late, the stage decor has now changed from a fern to a lit-up briefcase spruiking the band’s name. They jump straight into their set, which boasts heavily distorted guitars and poppy drums. Their second song of the night, Piece Of The Puzzle is recognised instantly by the audience and gets those of us who can stand to move for more than a few seconds in this heat grooving along. Pretty City let us in on a couple of new tracks, including one they call Running Around, and now it’s time for headliners, Gunslingers.

Allowing the Round The Twist theme song to play out before the beginning of their set, Gunslingers immediately grab everyone’s attention as soon as they pick up their instruments with their catchy pop-punk riffs, which are somewhat reminiscent of 2003 Blink 182 (think: I Miss You). The band have a lot of energy which translates well across to the audience and we all jump along to the beat. They play their new single, I’ll Always Be Waiting, a few songs and the fuzzy-rock sound is extremely well received. A few songs later we arrive at My First Trip To Mexico, which is the clear crowd favourite of the night, prompting lots of cheering, whooping and dancing. The dance party continues for the rest of their set, which Gunslingers finish with an extremely upbeat, punk-rock track Paradox. A “one more song” chant follows, however, it’s 33 degrees and needless to say the band don’t comply. But it’s a stellar show regardless.