Live Review: Kingswood, WAAX, Batz

Beloved favourites Batz bring their '70s style to the 170 Russell stage, the venue's speakers unleashing the band's rocking tracks. WAAX are up next and they keep the tunes coming. With heavier punk rock songs taking over, we're temporarily silenced and once again engaged by the action on stage.

Those who have taken the intermission as an opportunity for a smoke break are warned that Kingswood will take the stage shortly thanks to whispered warnings. So back inside the venue we go. An assortment of musicians — bassist, saxophonist, trumpeter, keyboardist and two vocalists who, at certain points of the evening, threaten to steal the show — join the three official Kingswood band members on stage for the evening. Kicking into their set, which comprises a mix of old and new tracks, the three-piece introduce songs off their recently released second record After Hours, Close To Dawn.

She's My Baby leads the audience in singalong, punters roaring excitedly while swaying along to the rhythmic melodies. During Golden, guitarist and vocalist Alex Laska takes the mic, leaving all in the audience in awe of his stage persona and sweet vocals as we take our phones out to record the moment. Fergus Linacre thanks the crowd, laughingly adding, "We didn't think anyone would come!" He then thanks the support bands, warning that these bands are comprised of "very crazy people, all of them. Do not invite them to your parents'!" Kingswood rip into their next song and then Linacre announces, "My grandma's here tonight! She's over there in the corner. Say 'hi' to Grandma!" Grandma is awarded loud applause.

Linacre breaks out the tambourine, explaining the instrument was picked up as a memento from their recent Nashville jaunt. Soon the tambourine makes its way through the crowd and we fear this special tamba won't make it back to the stage in one piece. Punters continue to howl along with the band's tunes, ebbing and flowing until Kingswood's show is brought to a close (and then temporarily revived with an inevitable encore).

When Kingswood and co return to the stage, Linacre praises, "You guys are amazing! It does not feel like a Sunday to me... Let's dance, everybody!" The lightshow and tunes are back in full swing before the evening is sadly brought to a close.