Live Review: The Beat's First Birthday: Axe Girl, Boys Boys Boys! & Mezzanine

It's not every day a young nightclub celebrates its first birthday, and when they offer up free cake, pizza and entry, it's pretty hard to say no, right? Sadly, Friday was an unfortunate night to be hosting this event, as Perth happened to be hosting a range of particularly enticing events that many seemed to have decided to attend instead. The slow pace of the nightclub to that point seemed to suit Perth's alt-rock juggernauts Mezzanine well, however, as they filled the empty space with a distorted, grungy fuzz that had those of us in the room feeling reminiscent of that '90s alternative rock sound we all love so much. Their confidence seemed to build gradually as the set went on, Someone To Abuse being the most energetic of them all and thus the track that received the most reception from the crowd.

Next up were indie-rocksters Axe Girl, and from the first note, they upped the ante with a blend of tunes ranging from catchy pop to a more raw-sounding punk sound. Vocalist Addison Axe was as loud as her hair, and that's in a good way, her voice blasting across the room and being happily lapped up by the audience, who became particularly engaged by well-known hit Ghost Romance. As a unit, the group were tight and well-rehearsed from beginning to end, their composure continuing to grow as people filled the venue, helped probably by the arrival of pizza.

Finally, all six members of Boys Boys Boys! took to stage, and at last, it felt like we had a party on our hands. I don't think as much fun has been shared between a band and its audience in a very long time. The band thrived in the limelight and infected the crowd with their contagious brand of synthy teenage pop. It was refreshing to see the girls swapping between lead vocalist and instrument-playing throughout the set, and their dance moves (performed in perfect unison, moreover), added further to the liveliness and good vibes a birthday party should have. Cake was offered at the end of the show and provided a fitting end to was an enjoyable night for a very special occasion.