As Trainspotters are celebrating their first birthday tonight, balloons float freely throughout the venue, which adds to the chaotic energy The Kramers instigate when frontman Ethan Kernaghan sporadically pops them during the band's set. There's always an element of unpredictability with The Kramers as you never know what kind of crazy antics Kernaghan will pull off. Tonight he stumbles into the crowd mid-song, leaving his guitar on stage, before a rowdy audience member proceeds to pick it up and starts playing it, which earns roars of approval from the crowd. Later in the set, Kernaghan climbs onto his amp and proceeds to play from its daunting height. Almost begrudgingly, the group finally oblige the demands from the crowd to play Aerial, after which Kernaghan jokes, “I don't know why you guys wanted to hear that song, it's terrible!”
Next up it's the side project for Jindhu Lawrie and Andrew Thomson of The Medics – Surfin Bird – who have a large group of fans ferociously dancing for the entirety of their set. It's not hard to see the appeal with these guys; they have an undeniable feel-good energy embedded within their surfy garage-pop that translates effortlessly to this adoring crowd. Lawrie really shines as frontman; his vocals are crisp and powerful, particularly in the crowd-pleasing track You And Others.
Sixties-inspired rock quartet Little Odessa are next to take the stage and by this point the party is pumping, and the general demeanour of the crowd is blissfully inebriated and celebratory. Little Odessa keep the good times rolling with some stylish little ditties such as My Girl and a cover of Elvis Costello's Pump It Up.
The venue is practically bursting at the seams by the time headliners Velociraptor take the stage, and it's not uncomfortable; rather, it feels like a totally raging house party with plenty of good vibes. Seven of the 12 'raptors are present tonight and amp up the festivities by launching into Hey Suzanne, Oh Yeah and the incredibly danceable Jnr Astronauts. The most notable of the absent 'raptors is James X Boyd, who usually adds an almost sexual, dramatic flair when taking up vocal duties for Do The Ruby and Mystery Man, and even though Julien James does an admirable job of filling the role, you can't help but miss Boyd's theatrics. Frontman Jeremy Neale takes advantage of the punters' raucous energy by engaging in a brief stint of crowd surfing mid-set, which only adds to the celebratory nature of the evening. With few tracks reaching the three-minute mark, the set flies by all too quickly, wrapping up with Ramona, Cynthia and In The Springtime. Way too much fun!
Don't miss a beat with our FREE daily newsletter
