Live Review: Kids With Wolves, Raksha, Ballet For Boys, James Atles - Ya Ya's

There was certainly a youthful spattering of musical glee in the midst of this Northbridge line-up. Indie-folk bloke from the UK, James Atles, set the scene of peaceful troubadour songs with his Bob Dylanesque vocals, before Ballet For Boys took it on a rock’n’roll spin.

Their genre could be better described as rock’n’troll as the hairstyle of frontman, Steve D’Angelo offered troll-like qualities, which distracted eyes from their music. For a two-piece, they filled the stage well, D’Angelo on guitar and vocals while drummer John Hoy kept time. “We are Ballet for Boys,” declared the charismatic D’Angelo, “and after the set we’ll do a 45-minute ballet number.”

The two budding artists, who had played only two shows prior to this evening, entertained and played diligently for a room of juveniles. “Not that you asked, but this song is about not working a nine-to-five job,” blurted D’Angelo before going into a pop-rock riff. 

Headliners, Kids with Wolves were solid.

Next up were six-piece Raksha, whose name was almost as confusing as the genre they played. Vocals were inconsistent but when they were in harmony, they were great. The melody was reminiscent of a Rocky Horror song, and though they were enthusiastic and new to the stage, they hadn’t quite landed on a style of music.

They did, however, encourage alcohol consumption (for those in the crowd that were of drinking age). Overall, they rose above the pressure given to a first-time act and worked through the nerves. Everyone more or less held his or her own, taking great ownership of the funk classic, Play That Funky Music, White Boy.

Headliners, Kids with Wolves were solid. They played together, sang together and engaged with the crowd. The three hipsters-in-the-making stood with smiles and played with the use of harmonics, a woodland-friendly sound, not unlike other folk acts. It was an altogether happy set. In terms of guitar sound, it wasn’t always evenly heard, but all sins are forgiven with a youthful smile.

They concluded with a blues number and welcomed someone’s dad to the stage before inviting everyone to dance. For a show of first-timers, there was great potential for every member, albeit a greater need for experimentation; enjoying a safe sound but with the goal to strive for maturity. After all, they won’t be “kids” forever.