Live Review: La Dispute, Balance & Composure, Hindsight

Local lads Hindsight ignited proceedings with an energetic, yet at times nervous set constructing a solid brand of melodic hardcore heavily inspired by the two international acts they were there to support. Vocalist Jack Nelligan, armed with his uniquely harsh, high-pitched yells, ambitiously stepped down from the stage and into the crowd following a few songs of audience inactivity. Nelligan's risky decision paid dividends as the quintet gained substantial confidence and proved they contain great potential. 

Following this, Balance & Composure hastily established that the winning recipe for audience admiration might not always lie in a frantic live performance. The three-guitar-strong Pennsylvanian five-piece created a huge, crisp sound for punters, which drew influence from both quintessential '90s Seattle grunge and classic indie-rock. Not drowned in the plethora of guitars, vocalist Jon Simmons' performance was outstanding, showcasing his ability to control both melodic screaming and clean singing styles. The band illustrated their heavier side by finishing strong with Notice Me, a track reminiscent of acts such as Nirvana; this was a met with a, “One more song” chant from an optimistic audience.

Finally, from complete darkness, all La Dispute required was a four-beat count-in before lights were thrown on and the band was in full swing. From the outset and throughout, enthusiastic vocalist Jordan Dreyer stole the spotlight; initially equipped with a tambourine that was discarded within seconds, Dreyer was incapable of remaining still, in wildly contrast to Simmons. La Dispute's performance had purpose; it was evident that the music is more than a simple pastime for the band, but rather a platform for poetic and musical expression. The incredible storytelling coupled with great musicality sent the close-to-capacity audience into a state of euphoria as they hung off Dreyer's every word. Crowd singalongs were especially noticeable in For Mayor In Splitsville and New Storms For Old Lovers. When not jumping around like a crazed madman, Dreyer was caught in peaceful moments of reflection, mirroring La Dispute's musical versatility. The band's colossal performance had great contrasting moments of tension and release, and culminated with a perfect rendition of King Park for an encore.