Live Review: The Rubens, Gretta Ray

The Rubens

As tennis fanatics and music lovers gather by the AO Live stage at the picturesque Birrarung Marr, Melbourne newcomer Gretta Ray gets things underway with her indie-pop musings.

The 2016 triple j Unearthed High winner possesses an incredible voice that filters across the open grassed area. Many of her songs have a country tinge to them and it wouldn't be surprising to see Ray making her way to Nashville sometime in the future. She ends her entertaining performance with easygoing track Drive.

The growing crowd are now on their feet as New South Wales five-piece The Rubens make their way on stage to huge applause. Surprisingly starting with an admittedly catchy new tune, The Rubens keep fans on side by following up with triple j favourite and nationwide hit My Gun. The crowd attempt to sing along but fail miserably, forcing frontman Sam Margin to do the bulk of the work during the chorus. Explaining it's been a year since they last played live, Margin wants everyone to have a "good time" as they play a selection of "new and old tunes" for everyone's enjoyment.

Michael Gudinski is walking around during the keys-heavy The Day You Went Away, enjoying one of his label's most impressive signings of the past few years. Satisfied with what he's seen, the big man heads backstage as The Rubens perform The Best We Got and the mellow Bitter End. "This is another new one you haven't heard," Margin interjects before a soft rock-influenced song gets its first showing in front of a live audience. Hold Me Back, The Night Is On My Side and Elvis are all easy on the ear, indie-rock songs with melodic guitar riffs and easy to sing hooks keeping the young crowd engaged.

Someone yells out for Lay It Down but Margin isn't keen, letting them know, "We'll play it eventually, we're just gonna play some other shit first." That "other shit" includes the '70s bluster of The Fool, cascading Switchblade and soulful Paddy. The crowd seems to be going through a down patch during these tracks, but are reignited when the opening riff of Hallelujah blares from the speakers. The good vibes continue with latest single Million Man before Cut Me Loose completes the main set. Margin thanks the crowd and says it's been fun before he's interrupted again by a group of lads asking them to play the band's cover of Chance The Rapper's Same Drugs. "No, brother, I don't remember how to play it," Margin replies. "Time for a shameless plug, we are touring again and playing the Forum next month so if you come along we might play it," he cheekily adds. A solo version of Lay It Down is followed by the energetic finale Hoops. It might have been a year since The Rubens last played, but they've lost none of their swagger with tonight's performance a solid return.