At 10.30pm when These New South Whales open the evening, the audience for this full venue takeover were really just starting to drip in. But a warm-up act this is not. After an Acknowledgement Of Country, the band turned on the strobe and turned up the amps for a set of their politics-drenched, irreverent and — vitally — energetic punk. What started as a spectacle for the first few punters turned into a party by the end; their frontman oozed David Bowie glam/charisma/danger and had the early bird-audience rapt. And deservedly so, since they not only brought anger-charged energy but also played tight sets and demonstrated deft musicianship.
Canadian alt-electronica duo Bob Moses took the decks just as the crowds were really filing in. By midnight, Oxford Art Factory was heaving and more than a few punters and artists showed the wear and tear of a sweaty day at Callan Park. Their set showed off their debt to DIY rock, but still claimed house music as their own with sultry, deep basslines and impeccable mixing.
Meanwhile, indie darling and rising star Julia Jacklin was in the gallery bringing punters back to their last teenage house party. A group of her mates stood with her around the turntable playing with the dials and dished out all the faves: everything from Beyonce to Britney and JT. But this was to be expected, since Jacklin apparently had a "Britney inspiration" scrapbook in her childhood bedroom.
Meanwhile, in the other room, the crowd was heaving for Future Classic DJ Marcus Marr's back-to-back set with Nick Murphy (FKA Chet Faker). Drawing on both sets of ears, their set was appropriately funky, intergalactic and brimming with catchy riffs.
