Live Review: Stonefield, Magic Bones, Destrends

Playing drums with a broken leg is clearly no problem for Destrends’ drummer Nathan Savage tonight at the Shadow Electric. The show goes on anyway in fine post-punk art-rock style. Lead singer and bassist Matt Savage demonstrates some cool stage theatrics, such as thumping the bass lying flat on the floor and kicking his legs in air during My Friend. His zebra-skin patterned skivvy totally wins the night’s unofficial style award.

Garage-punk rockers Magic Bones pump out frenetic tunes to further loosen up the crowd, some of whom persist in playing ping-pong in the adjoining space rather than rocking out on the dancefloor. Their loss, the performance is perfectly chaotic, intense and awesomely heavy on the shredding. Fucking up the set list, singer and guitarist Dylan Thorpe thinks he’s introducing new single, Danger I Am, but nope, Devil’s Spawn is actually up next featuring some bone-chilling introductory wails from singer and bass player Kiri O’Connor. Danger I Am is finally played later in its correct place on the set list, and this raging punk number goes sick with mad, unrelenting ferocity. 

The ethereal women of Stonefield finally emerge and begin with a bluesy instrumental to kick off the first night of their Golden Dream national tour. New tracks off their forthcoming album are demoed first up, and hallelujah, Stonefield’s glorious rock riffs, organ wails and powerfully sweet vocals appear in brand new musical forms, evidently more assured and mature this time round.  

Righteous self-esteem anthem Love You Deserve is a winner, featuring the four sisters swinging their luscious hair around under the flashing strobe lights. New track, Golden Dream, is a wistful psych-rock beauty unfolding beautifully live on stage. Next, watching brilliant lead guitarist Hannah Findlay blissing out while banging out the riffs on Black Water Rising is a treat. Amy Findlay gets on the drumkit next for a blazing cover of Fleetwood Mac’s Black Magic Woman, a no-brainer cover choice for these awesome ladies. The bouncy descending riff on House Of The Lonely inspires punters to mosh, while one man is spotted performing some oddly compelling dance/tai chi moves. Put Your Curse On Me rounds out the night, with Destrends’ Matt Savage hoisting Amy Findlay up on his shoulders and walking her slowly through the crowd as she belts out vocals high in the air. Thank God for Stonefield, a beautiful powerhouse of rock chicks showing the girls how it’s done.