Live Review: The Preatures, Hot Spoke, Dr Goddard

The falsetto dream-rock of Blue Mountains trio Dr Goddard featured some great mid-song rhythm changes, where the tempo was stretched out like syrup and the rolling drums built up a kinetic energy that had the passionate crowd nodding. 

Hot Spoke singer/songwriter Vanessa Muir sang a set of smooth but occasionally languid alt. folk melodies and tunes inlaid with some “mmm!”, but worthy, soulful electric guitar solos from Seb Bartels stole the show.

A beautiful mix of nostalgia, funk and pure rock'n'roll, The Preatures aren't easy to pin down. They performed a pretty brief set but so full of energy, momentum and attitude that who even cares. Vocalist Isabella Manfredi is a fierce performer comparable to the late Chrissy Amphlett and Stevie Nicks, with crystalline vocals and an intense stage presence, while second vocalist Gideon Bensen, complements with a stylised yet mature, sexy, deep croon; a mix of Bruno Mars, Elvis and Danny Zuko. 

The band performed a few of their favourites from the Shaking Hands EP and brand new tracks, among them the haunting ballad, Revelation. From rockabilly guitar riffs to screeching soul organ lines, the quintet showcased genre hopping at its best and at the end of a more upbeat newie, Cool, Gideon jumped up onto a speaker in a perfect moment of rock stardom.

The crowd wasn't jumping around nearly enough and there was a tiny lull in the middle of the set but that's nit-picking and it picked back up for sure, seeing bassist Tom Champion chime in on backing vocals for the first time ever and the epic instrumental breakdown on the new single, Is This How You Feel? 

The Preatures made sure their last show on their single tour went off with a bang. The whole band was wearing ear-to-ear smiles during the final song and with a whoop or two, a salute from Isabella and the promise of “see you in September”, they were off.