Live Review: Sticky Fingers, Gold Member

Fresh off the heels of a brand new album, Sticky Fingers were back in WA on Friday night after a string of sold-out shows across Australia. This has been the defining year for Sticky Fingers; they've taken their garage-beat swagger and turned it into a true stadium-filling sound. With tours spanning the very best European and North American festivals, the world seemingly can't get enough of their self-proclaimed "melting pot of psych, rock, reggae and bourbon" music.

With Westway (The Glitter & The Slums) pushing the Sydneysiders onto the global stage, many expected the band's sound to become softer and more commercialised, but their latest album is an instant hit of epic melodies and belting guitar riffs. The whole crowd was itching to see whether the album's transition to a live show would be as successful as their refined studio music. 

Typically, the queue for Metro City spills out into the parking lot. Not tonight, the already sold-out show had a line of eager looking fans stretching halfway around the block, slowly filing in as restless tension began to build. Up first were "electro-skank" duo, Gold Member, another pair from Sydney who hit the stage shortly after 9pm and delivered a solid set of bassy, soul-filled beats; the two newcomers were welcomed with raucous cheers and ushered out with much the same after a stellar set.

After a brief break, 10.15pm rolled by and the war-chant of "Stiiiiiiff-iiies!" began. The stage lights quickly fired up as smoke began to pour out and, outta nowhere, the unmistakable first chords of Thin Lizzy's The Boys Are Back In Town pumped across the hall to a roar from the 2,500-strong crowd, packed on all four levels.

Sticky Fingers walked out and launched straight into Land Of Pleasure, the title track from their third LP. This was followed swiftly by some of their newest radio hits like Outcast At Last and Sad Songs. It was a polished performance, with a passionate crowd screaming out every word even during some of their older, less radio-exposed material. A few songs in, the lead guitarist from Bootleg Rascal, Jimmy Young, appeared to lend Sticky Fingers a hand performing One By One. The crowd was electric, hands outstretched; a united sea of bodies bouncing. The lads onstage lapped up the attention, delivering extended riffs and egging the mob on.

Highlights from the show included Our Town, How To Fly and Velvet Skies, with Dizza rapping Lyall Moloney's verses like a champ. Triple j thrashed song Australia Street was last up in the set, but the instant Sticky Fingers left the stage and the lights went down, an encore was demanded from every single human in the building. On came the one and only Freddy Crabs, dressed in his signature get-up of dad-bod, chest hair and shorts; only this time with crab floaties on his arms. He went straight up to the keyboard and belted out the first chords to the song that's named after him while the rest of the boys came out to cheers. Toward the end of the song, a giant inflatable red crab surfboard was brought onto the stage and, as the final riff kicked off, Crabs himself grabbed it and dived into the crowd, launching on the surf of our outstretched hands.

It was an excellent mix of new and old material, with the boys proving that, despite the squeaky-clean production on their latest album, they can still deliver a raw and organic performance live. They were undoubtedly in their element. Sticky Fingers have got their sound and style down pat. Keep a close eye on what they come up with next.