Live Review: Pond

In case you weren’t already tired of Laneway sideshows, POND took to the cramped quarters of the Oxford Art Factory stage for their own last night.

Potentially Australia’s favourite glam-rock band at the moment (with psychedelic edges, to keep it palatable to hipsters), POND have managed to crack out two killer shows in the space of a week, reducing their new and old fans to sloppy puddles of sweat, spilt beer and yeah, that’s probably spit too.

They opened the set with the first single from their new record Man It Feels Like Space Again, Elvis’ Flaming Star. The set then combed through the new record and their 2013 effort Hobo Rocket. More tracks from their 2012 breakout Beards, Wives, Denim would have been appreciated. They did manage to share vocal duties: ‘Shiny’ Joe Ryan taking the lead at times, drummer Jay Watson having a go, but most eyes were squarely on Nick Allbrook. For a couple years there Allbrook was all Jagger-esque moves, the enigmatic frontman daring you to look away, but he’s now taken a step back from the spotlight, almost hiding behind his guitar at times. This leaves more space for Watson and Ryan, yes, but does take the energy level down a little. Not that there was much space to move around on stage anyway; moving from their last headline set at the Metro to a smaller venue this time around means more intimacy (more sweat, spilt beer and spit), but also less space to groove to tracks like Zond and set highlight You Broke My Cool and smaller speakers for Allbrook to climb upon.

Punters managed to mosh to anything and everything, even more subdued tracks like Sitting Up On Our Crane. Even extended synth-based jamouts had fans climbing onto the stage, only to fling themselves off. Crowdsurf of the night goes to reluctant frontman Nick Allbrook though, who finished off the set on his back in the crowd, still noodling on his guitar.