Those in the Gallery bar before the big show were treated to the swinging jazz numbers of Wollongong's Beaten Bodies.  Their short set was a celebration of funk and jazz, two saxophones and a trumpet combining nicely with the drums, bass and keys for tight breakdowns, Marli Wilde's bubbly vocals a sensation.

Fraser A Gormon & Big Harvest revived the spirit of more than one decade, playing the type of set you could bring your grandma to and both have fun. Upbeat '70s country music tracks like Shiny Gun and Whiskey are foot-stomping good times, unflinchingly positive and lifted up by Gormon's harmonica and the violin of Sophia Lubczenko, whose careless demeanor and sharp skills made her a star of the night. Gormon's deep vocals and thoughtful lyrics give the music a storytelling feel, with an early blues rock/gospel feel that seems to be channelling Johnny Cash. His influence is obvious in the slightly gloomier Dark Eyes.

Vance Joy, the ridiculously good-looking and even more likeable indie pop/folk artist has gathered a substantial following with only a five-song EP.  Hitting the stage with a four-piece he serenaded the Oxford Art Factory with his sweet coastal tracks. Joy has the folky sex appeal of an Angus Stone; heartfelt tracks like Emmylou and Snaggletooth had the crowd swooning. Confident and down to earth on stage, Joy walked us through the stories behind each song in his short repertoire before diving into them. His songs build nicely, though some remain at a level leaving something to be desired. Losing the band for two numbers he stood alone and played a beautiful acoustic cover of Bruce Springsteen's Dancing In The Dark. 

When the band came back Joy traded his guitar for a ukulele and played the two tracks everyone was waiting for, Play With Fire and Riptide, the crowd coming alight and singing along. Joy is a promising new prospect in Australian music, and with his endearing, quivering vocals and songwriting talent he's definitely one to watch.