Live Review: Methyl Ethel, Kuzich, Childsaint

This gig featured three sterling WA representatives at the peak of their creative powers.

The joyfully haphazard producer Kuzich was delightfully off-kilter, with his scattershot 'rapping' and strange home-grown J Dilla beats that bubbled and popped as he hopped around the stage in his striped bucket hat. Kuzich has been a staple on the Perth scene for a while, primarily as a drummer. His breezy foray into electronic production feels experimental rather than a dedicated pursuit, as his set was comprised of a lot of loose joints punctuated by the occasional solid idea.

The dirgy Childsaint were more forthright. Their sullen rock narratives were gritty and atmospheric, and were in stark contrast with the output from the other groups.

Headliner Methyl Ethel have enjoyed a bountiful year, complete with a cracking new LP and a sold-out tour to brag about. Their set, while not particularly flashy, was a fine slice of trippy pop heaven that embraced the glossier aspects of the recognisable Perth sound.

Everything Is Forgotten is Methyl Ethel's second full-length. A busier and more idiosyncratic LP than their debut, it made up the bulk of the set. Seeing them live is a great reminder of how technically talented the group truly is. Chris Wright is a noted wizard on his kit. He sat surrounded by skins and pads, firing off samples and tones with precision and subtlety. Frontman Jake Webb (standing off to the side behind shaggy bass player Thom Stewart, very comfortable front and centre) settled into his own groove. The packed house of young revellers were impressively versed, faithfully singing along to more than half the tunes and leaning into the newly minted summer vibe.