Live Review: OKA

The middle of their WA tour saw reggae masters OKA set up shop on stage at the Indi Bar with a concoction of instruments – didgeridoos, bongo drums, bamboo flutes and heaps of brass instruments – on display as patrons varying across all age demographics revved themselves up for what would he a huge night of grooving to reggae tunes. DJ Swami Adima is to be noted for getting us all moving with a fantastic collection of recognisable summery jams that kept the good vibes flowing right up until OKA were due to start their set.

OKA took to the stage quite early in the evening, making their presence known to the entire venue with some wonderful didgeridoo work from frontman Stuart Fergie. All of a sudden, the room was bursting at the seams with people trying to get inside to enjoy the music. From the outset, the group kept the energy levels at a premium for what ended up being a set spanning over one-and-a-half hours, with people and instruments constantly chopping and changing. A huge highlight was when a special guest (whose name unfortunately escapes me) was invited up on stage to play the bongos, and she managed to pull out a cracking solo performance that had the audience hollering and hysterical. OKA's performance was mostly instrumental, and despite the long set each tune sounded fresh and different from the previous track. The songs they played from their new album, Free Spirit, were met with great enthusiasm from the hyped-up crowd, particularly album opener, Money 4 The Jam, which featured an incredibly catchy chorus beat and great vocal delivery from Fergie. As a testament to the band's brilliant performance they left the venue having sold every copy of their album on the merch desk, and should be happy knowing those records will be put to good use.