Live Review: Hockey Dad, Dear Seattle, Boat Show

Perth's Boat Show got tonight's show off to a roaring start. Channelling an early-'90s grunge sound reminiscent of Bikini Kill, the four-piece ripped into their DIY punk set.

Ali Flintoff and Kaitlin Keegan shared vocal duties to make sure the crowd was paying attention. Their biting lyrics and solid foundation of chugging guitar and drums proved to be a hit.

Next up were Dear Seattle, who appeared to have more than a few fans in the crowd. The first chorus of their set was sung back at them. Dear Seattle powered through their high-energy set. Their hooks were infectious and had the crowd moving and headbanging; their grungy sound was the perfect primer for Hockey Dad.

It's been endearing to follow Hockey Dad's quick rise from beloved Wollongong two-piece to playing national (and international) sold-out shows, but tonight's show proved they deserve every success.

The duo launched into their set with newbie My Stride to a huge crowd response. Despite just releasing their second album Blend Inn a few weeks ago, the enthusiasm and response for tracks off this long-player matched those that have been making the rounds for the last couple of years.

Can't Have Them was thrown out early in the set, whipping the already-heaving, sold-out Metro into frenzy; while following it up with A Night Out With pushed the crowd into overdrive with arms, legs and even bodies flailing.

Blend Inn has seen Zach Stephenson and Billy Fleming level-up, sharpening their production skills and becoming more sophisticated with their songwriting. Having seen Hockey Dad a number of times over the years, this skeptical reviewer was interested to see how they would pull these new songs off in a live setting. But the exuberant and youthful hooks in I Wanna Be Everybody and Join The Club came off without a hitch, and genuinely sounded more vibrant and infectious than on record.

I Need A Woman and Sweet Release plastered smiles on everyone's faces as they sang, screamed and danced along. However, the strongest singalong of the evening happened during So Tired, with closer Homely Feeling (arguably one of their best songs to date) only narrowly missing the crown.

Expectedly, calls for an encore were strong and met with a cover of Get Free (originally by The Vines). Hockey Dad then harked back to their first EP, bashing out slow burner Seaweed to appease those among us who have followed their journey from the beginning.