Live Review: The Smith Street Band, The Front Bottoms, Apologies, I Have None, Oslow

Oslow specialise in mid-tempo melodic emo-punk, with some impressive spacey guitars and tight drums saving things from getting too thrashy.

Regrettably, the hooks weren’t all that memorable, but the band performed with more than enough panache to see their short set through.

In spite of a more power-chordsy sound, Apologies, I Have None showed a lot of verve. Moments where singer Josh McKenzie took the spotlight, with softly strummed clean guitar, provided contrast that made the gut-busting highs play out with more strength. That said, besides the volume, there wasn’t too much dynamic about them. The set zipped along, but a longer one could’ve grown tiring.

New Jersey’s The Front Bottoms are making their Australian debut with this tour, but you wouldn’t know it from the enraptured crowd, who sang along with every word, fists pumping in the air. Au Revoir came alive with some playful flourishing halfway through, while closer, Twin Size Mattress, struck with awe-inspiring power. The band’s well-written songs, fuelled by acoustic guitar and passionate vocals, clearly struck a chord with the audience. Hopefully the warm reception was enough to guarantee a Front Bottoms headline tour isn’t too far away – especially since one of their best songs, Everything I Own, was conspicuously absent.

The Smith Street Band, led by the incomparably charismatic Wil Wagner, took the stage and ripped right into Surrender, the first tune in a set bursting with crowd-pleasers. It’s absolutely no surprise so many people are rallying around the band right now, as they’re completely on top of their game. The set felt like a celebration, not only of the band’s recent achievements, but of the power and potential of Australian punk rock as a whole. It felt like the vibe couldn’t get any better until a young couple made their way onstage, and one of them dropped down on one knee and proposed.

“How good is love?!” howled Wagner, as the two kissed on stage, and the resulting sing-along to Ducks Fly Together was a moment that few present will forget.