Live Review: The Julie Ruin, Early Woman, DJ Svetta

DJ Sveta kicked off Friday night, playing to a totally empty Factory Theatre, the chilly reception not indicative of the music but the air-conditioning designed for a full house.

Fortunately the crowd grew in stature and as the night progressed so did the tunes, with DJ Sveta providing some awesome current and old school beats between the sets of Early Woman and the group we had all come to see, The Julie Ruin. A remix of Lorde appropriately greeted those newly acquainted with the weekend as they quickly began to fill the dancefloor.

Cue the set of Early Woman, each member (including lead singer Ben Montero) sporting a long bohemian floral dress with red converse kicks. Montero delivered soothing vocals, which provided easy listening and helped ease the crowd into the main event. Hannah Brooks provided a smooth synergy that commanded the stage, playing their own special brand of 'emotionally draining, adult love songs'.

By the time The Julie Ruin took the stage, the Factory Theatre was packed. “So it's been a while since I've played live, especially in Australia, and I know there's two people who were at the show in Melbourne (18 years ago), so we've changed the set for you, I just want you to know that,” joked frontwoman Kathleen Hanna.

At one point Hanna asked an audience member for a tissue and then said, “I hope that wasn't in your butt before you gave it to me, because I just blew my nose with it and then wiped my face, so I've got like ass and boogers on my face now... We're so high class that we ask the audience for tissues.” Playing songs from their debut album Run Fast, it was a night of excellent music, dancing and laughs in a perfect venue for this unique and self-proclaimed 'kooky' band.