Live Review: Stonefield, Verge Collection, Pop Cult

Queensland rockers Pop Cult bring a splash of sunshine to this dreary Melbourne night. This four-piece open the night with dreamy vocal harmonies and feelgood pop-rock. They merge styles and eras together seamlessly — '90s alternative vocals, surfer-rock guitar tones and '70s pop, all topped off with catchy choruses. Their set includes debut single Gotta Keep Lovin' , a cover of Len's '90s classic Steal My Sunshine and Does Your Mother Know, which is possibly the best ABBA cover ever. The last song is gospel jam Feels Right, which brings good vibes and lets the crowd dance away.

Perth natives Verge Collection open with Feel Bad Songs singing, "And we're not happy, we're not sad/We do things the best we can," summing up 20-somethings perfectly. Verge Collection offer a set full of alternative roots and country music with honest lyrics. They meld together a variety of genres to make their signature sound — folksy storytelling, Paul Kelly vocals, blues rhythms and country guitars. Continuing the theme of awesome covers, they launch into Destiny's Child classic Say My Name. Verge Collection make the song their own, so much so that it's not 'til the chorus that it hits us and we recognise the track. Frontman Ben Arnold says, "I never really liked Destiny's Child," and then laughs before admitting, "Yeah, that's a lie; that song's a ripper!" They wrap the set up with Our Place, a track that advocates against drink driving.

Soul classic Think plays over the PA as Melbourne's favourite sisters Stonefield walk on stage while the crowd cheers. They bring a dose of classic rock, opening with an instrumental that melds into fan favourite, Black Water Rising. We're in awe watching as the Findlay sisters play with an ease and professionalism that befits Wembley Stadium or the main stage at Glastonbury. It's hard not to be impressed by frontwoman Amy Findlay as she gives a killer Stevie Nicks-style vocal performance while also providing the heavy drum beats for the band, never missing a note or beat. "Thanks heaps for coming down and filling the room for us," Amy says. "One week left 'til the next album is in the world." They give us a preview of new album As Above, So Below and play a handful of new tracks including single Stranger. They throw in a few classic Stonefield tracks including Put Your Curse On Me, Over And Over and Through The Clover. They wrap the night up with a killer cover of classic Zeppelin track Whole Lotta Love.

Stonefield transport us back to Woodstock and prove, once again, that rock'n'roll is here to stay.