Shaky Handz’ set, a rip-roaring mess of distorted guitars and flailing drums, was as pure an expression of the power of pop-punk as anything, all without taking itself too seriously. The Sydney quartet really seemed to be having a blast on stage, exchanging laconic banter between songs and pouring energy into each performance. Endearingly rough around the edges, the stop-starts and re-takes never stood in the way of a good time. Highlights included the Wavves-y I Can’t Say No and a near-unrecognisably thrashy take of Factory Farm$$$.

Babaganoüj put on a particularly fiery performance, showing off a handful of new songs as well as EP tracks. Guitar geeks gathered at the front of the room to watch Charles Sale, whose chops were immediately apparent, but every member shone. Guitarist Ruby McGregor sang lead on a new song, played second from last, which stood out with its dreamy guitars, That Dog.-esque harmonies and a thumping drum build provided by the constantly entertaining Jack Gleeson. Bassist/singer Harriette Pilbeam’s range extended from the deceptively peppy Can’t Stop Thinking About You to the tentative, vulnerable new single, Bluff. The immaculate Too Late For Love, with its dense riffs and perfect boy-girl vocals, was an ideal closer.

Hockey Dad aptly began their set with a cover of Link Wray’s Rumble, a simple but hard-rocking blues number that lays the atmosphere on thick. In much the same way, the Wollongong duo soon made the room their own, showing off surf-rock tunes doused in reverb and bursting with lo-fi charm. Tearing through a fast and loose set, the band played everything the crowd expected from their debut EP, but also surprised with a few new songs. One new tune had a gutsy edge to it, replete with frantic guitar and a big drum breakdown.

An effect like that isn’t easy to achieve in a two-piece band. Some duos compensate for their small line-up with effects, pre-recorded instruments or supporting musicians. Hockey Dad do it with sheer youthful exuberance, and their catchy melodies and huge choruses just beg for a massive festival crowd.