Live Review: Tiny Spiders, Kellie Lloyd, Brainbeau

A secret soiree is under way at The Hideaway for the Two's Complement Duo Fest, a triad of two-pieces put on by Sonic Masala to provide respite from all the negative elements of Ekka Eve. Kicking off proceedings is Brainbeau, who deliver an electrifying, amorphous set that solidifies their growing reputation for being one of the most underrated bands in Brisbane. Their homespun Balearic synthetic confectionery becomes increasingly addictive with each lesson, and Katie Martin and Chelvis Chesley never let up, their synth-driven hip hop rhythms a den of aural delight. A hypnotic display that could have played forever and it would have ended too soon. Seriously, the more people see these guys play, the better.

Kellie Lloyd takes to the cosy stage next, and rather than be an anomaly on this tenuously-themed evening, she is joined by the thunderous Branko Cosic on drums, albeit armed with brushes, and what transpires is an intimate, assured take on Lloyd's guitar rock musings. Lloyd proves as arresting a figure with six-strings at her disposal as with the familiar four, and goes about attacking her craft with vigour, despite visibly tackling the oncomings of the flu. Her voice rarely falters though, and her sonorous guitar lines dip in and out of distorted shoegaze territory, underscoring her penchant for '90s guitar heroes. These flirtations with heavier wares dances intriguingly with her light lilt, emphasising how important a songwriter she is in whatever form she chooses to take.

A rampant birthday party helps bring further life to the cosy confines, just in time for rapacious rapscallions Tiny Spiders to hit the floor – and hit they do, with drummer Cam Smith obliterating the senses in the first few seconds. Due to an amp mishap in soundcheck there is an imbalance between the instruments, the guitar oft-times disappearing altogether, and Innez Tulloch does her best to rise above the din. But for the most part this is a standard Spiders set, tearing through short stabs of scrappy guitar pop with a hefty injection of manic energy and boisterous abandon. Some new songs find their way into this set, and favourites such as Harsh Mistress and Shadows get the crowd in a lather (and one guy front and centre, doing the shuffle).

Three great acts to help us forget the state of the rest of the Valley, and focus on getting inebriated in style and with a smile.