Iron ChicThe Brisbane Hotel was notably less busy than usual last night, as punk-rock punters across the state are partying in the paddock this weekend. It's a shame, because it was a show I'm definitely glad to have ticked off the bucket list!
Supporting Iron Chic first up were Art School Bullies; they took my breath away the first time I saw them, and tonight's set was no different. Lead rocker Aleksander Folvig's awkward but adorable personality shines through when he is talking in between songs, but when he performs you can feel the emotion and energy magnetise through the room. As they debuted their upcoming single Bowler's Run, it was clear this band have been working hard, and it's certainly paying off.
Hobart Favourite Squid Fishing were up next, and there is a reason they're on everybody's lips right now. Lead vocalist Zena Mohamad oozes cool, with vocals that have certainly got to be heard live. Meaningless Sex is a total banger, one of those songs that you can't not completely immerse yourself in. Guitarist Ethan Groombridge takes on the role of supporting vocals, and it pieces the foursome together oh so perfectly. There is something captivating about the way Groombridge performs, his stage presence is on another level. Watching him, it's evident he was born for it as he sways and grooves on stage like a complete and utter rock star.
Finally, the crowd got what they had really been waiting for, the magic that is Iron Chic. It was still disheartening seeing The Brisbane Hotel less jam-packed than it should have been, but that's what happens when you clash with one of the state's biggest festivals! The punters that made it were certainly expecting a ripper of a performance and that's exactly what the New York natives provided.
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Opening with Cutesy Monster Man, fans lit up and the crowd started belting along to every line. Their emotional but completely energetic ballads had the audience completely captivated. Fist pumps and headbanging were inevitable, but when their third song and fan favourite Timecop started playing the room reached a whole new level of movement, love and emotion. Iron Chic's tunes can be depressing as hell, but just then everybody was happy, together and doing their own unique style of boogieing.
The set was certainly a crowd pleaser, Iron Chic performing a wide range of tunes from their now decade-long career. Closing with Time Keeps On Slipping Into the (Cosmic) Future, the crowd sang their loudest and moved their hardest.
Minutes after saying their thank you's (a reaction that was evidently genuine) and leaving the stage, there was a sigh of relief as it was apparent they were coming back for an encore.
Bogus Journey was followed by a cover of Green Day's She, the tunes wrapping up the night. Iron Chic are something else, and it was certainly special to share such an intimate gig with punk rock legends.
