Still buzzing from her guest appearance during the NRL grand final’s pre-game entertainment, engaging front-woman Sarah McLeod beamed as The Superjesus ran through “the hits of yore”.

Although guitars were somewhat lost in the shuffle, the rockers’ 45-minute display was littered with favourites (Secret Agent Man, Gravity, Shut My Eyes, inevitable closer Down Again). The members have clearly revelled in the reunion nostalgia kick during the past 18 months; the positive response from audiences such as this one also afforded additional motivation to pen that long-overdue next album. 

On the topic of fresh music following extended layoffs, the reformed (and reinvigorated) headliners also underwent a feeling out process, touring and reconnecting on-stage and off before committing to what eventuated as new disc, The Ocean At The End. This show confirmed what the Canadian trio’s 2012 reformation run strongly suggested; that The Tea Party have segued almost effortlessly into another era of existence. The latest material neatly integrated into the set-list, its guitar-oriented hard rock greeted by their loyal fan-base with a blend of enthusiasm and sheer gratefulness akin to a marathon runner being handed a bottle of water after completing a race. The title track and interaction accompanying the acoustic-laced Water’s On Fire proved the standouts of the Ocean… songs within the live context. 

Booming in his rich baritone, front-man Jeff Martin’s charisma (quipping “I had this look before Johnny Depp”; commanding, rather than querying “have you ever wondered what absolute power sounds like?” during the gig’s closing moments) was an integral factor, complementing cuts oozing psychedelic and proggy excursions, not to mention Zeppelin-channelling riffs. The Bazaar, Psychopomp, occult-inspired Fire In The Head and the enormous Temptation remain staples for a reason. The Tea Party possessed a unique chemistry; it’s reassuring having them as part of the rock landscape again.