If ever there was a bunch of buddies in the Perth music scene that just got together for a laugh and a jam, it'd be the 'Spinning Top' amalgamation that Pond and their associated acts make up. Such was evident with their show on Saturday night, with a doorlist the length of one's arm, and a sold out venue filled to the brim with their mates and fans.

The set kicked off with The Silents, back together for their first appearance (under that name, at least) in two years. Nothing had really changed; the lads still played with the same slurry, intoxicated and erratic nonchalance as they were known for, way back when. You couldn't tell if the feedback loops were intentional, and you couldn't tell what on earth frontman Lloyd Stowe was saying between songs, or while singing for that matter, but hot damn it was good to see them back. 


Next up, Felicity Groom warmed up a massing crowd, greeting everyone with a “Good evil” and delivering an eerie, whimsical set of tunes from her forthcoming album. AAA Aardvark Getdown Services naturally already had a fair bit of hype orbiting them before they took to the stage; word had got around that Kevin Parker and Cam Avery were collaborating on this hilariously named new project, and the venue was near capacity by the time they began. One might wonder what sort of reception the band would have received had the personnel not included these two fellows, but regardless of reception, the band was absolutely A-class.

Pond took to the stage on time at around 10:50, introducing themselves and pointing to the monolithic banner bearing their name behind them, saying “See?” They delivered an hour-long set that took them right to the limits of the venue's curfew, everyone lapping it up right to the end. At this point, the venue was well and truly at capacity and the crowd was dancing, jumping and getting in trouble with security for using illicit substances. In actuality, the venue was probably quite small and intimate, but with the way the band played, and the way their adoring onlookers responded, they may as well have been playing Wembley Stadium, the way the vibe was going, the wit was being thrown around and the music was flooding out of those amps.