Live Review: Sticky Fingers, Bootleg Rascal, Lyall Maloney

Lyall Maloney seemingly entertains himself more than tonight's early birds as he strums out, eyes closed in his long-sleeved polo, shorts and boots. He hits the loop pedals with both feet as he beat boxes and records some high-pitched vocals into the mic, swaying to his own creation and spreading the movement to the floor.

Maloney then returns this time shirtless with sunnies, maintaining his cool while playing bass for Bootleg Rascal. Also shirtless, Dan Crestani brings in the folk with his acoustic and heart-melting vocals as bearded Jimmy Young complements with his striking licks. This union sets the right energy for the happy crowd.

Everyone has compressed to the front, filling half the venue as Freddy Fish hits the keys to loud cheers. The rest of Sticky Fingers step out, Super Drys in hand, to start the sound trip without any hesitation, as Beaker S.F. hits the drumbeat. Vocalist Dylan Frost infectiously jumps around joyfully in his denim vest and bucket cap as he sings and plays through How To Fly. From Seamus with his red hair covering his face and hitting that psychedelic calypso for Headlock, to Patty Fingers setting the skanking bass line for Willow Tree and Frost controlling the verve with his poetic lyrics and hypnotising calls, each member really brings their own standout element to manifest a ride which can only be described as hectically magical. And their following give it back just as hard, joining in the dance, singing along and whistling when the boys take short beer breaks between tracks.

Young returns on stage with his guitar as Maloney takes the mic to play MC with Frost as they switch the vibe to rap rock. As the crowd's hands and bodies go insane, their minds are then blown as the two lead guitarist jam out, while the two vocalists squat down on the stage floor. Then to “calm the fuck down” Fish leads the dub on the keys as Front continues to vocally magnetise for Bootleg Rascal and Seamus enhances with his solos.

They break the trance with a walk out moment which calls for an immediate “One more song!” Instantaneously the boys are back onstage, this time drinking straight from bottles and chasing with coke before inducing everyone with their sound again. A listener jumps on stage to play hype man for a moment and ends with a stage dive, encouraging a few more divers before security kills the buzz. All the while the boys keep going, ending with Australia Street which has everyone chanting back and sneaking in a few more dives. Once experienced there's no turning back, Sticky Fingers are a bunch of beautiful boys making beautiful sounds and perfroming beautifully.