Live Review: La Dispute, Balance & Composure, Have/Hold

At 8pm on the dot, local outfit Have/Hold take to the stage and the room is already half-full. Whether that's testament to the three-piece's ability to draw a crowd, a reflection of the eager audience, or a combination, it doesn't matter. Singer/guitarist Luke Shields doesn't hit every note, but he gets it right more often than not. They leave everything they've got on stage, and prove – once again – that it's always worth checking out the support act.

A position by the bar affords a great vantage point from which to view the different punters here tonight. Hipsters rub shoulders with punks, some grizzled veterans loiter near the back and more than a few young'uns wander around aimlessly, trying to look interested while they pass the time before the headliners come on.

One approach is to get up close and personal with Balance & Composure. Channelling a late '90s SoCal sound, at times B&C offer a sound similar to ex-Brisbane metal band Sunk Loto; at others, they are a polished punk outfit with big things ahead of them. Despite looking like Ricky Martin and Anthony Callea's lovechild, lead singer Jon Simmons leads the Pennsylvania five-piece through different shades of light and dark. With three guitars, the band play to their strengths and texture their sound well. Judging by some audience member reactions, there are more than a few punters here primarily for B&C tonight.

Opening with Hudsonville, Mi 1956 then First Reactions After Falling Through The Ice, it's clear La Dispute are here to take no prisoners. Vocalist Jordan Dreyer throws his slight frame across the stage without fear, spitting fire while the crowd laps it up. There's not much interaction between the band members, but individually they keep their shit locked tight enough. Tracks from their latest record Rooms Of The House litter the set. One particular highlight comes in the form of Stay Happy There, although La Dispute are more than happy to reach into their back catalogue to pull out gems such as A Letter and crowd-pleaser Andria. 

Despite the angst inherent in the band's music – try lyrics like “Tell me that it's difficult to not think of death sometimes” from All Our Bruised Bodies And The Whole Heart Sinks on for size – it's difficult to not find glimpses of enjoyment on the band members' faces. And with an encore consisting of Nine and King Park, those very same glimpses are caught on the faces of fans.