Live Review: Vera Blue, Mammals, PLGRMS

As early arrivals began filling the Factory Theatre in Marrickville, Sydney-based duo PLGRMS performed some of their electronic indie tracks including the new single Dream You Up which they'd released the day before.

After a long soundcheck, four-piece Mammals took to the stage and overcame several technical difficulties - the levels were all wrong, frontman Guy Brown's guitar stopped working, then his mic stopped working, then his strap came undone with Brown just managing to catch his guitar before it hit the floor. The clearly frazzled singer and multi-instrumentalist commented it was the most exciting gig he's ever had because he was shitting himself the whole time. Despite the sound issues, Mammals admirably powered through their set, closing on a high with Move Slower.

Vera Blue (aka Celia Pavey) was then welcomed onto the stage by the very excited sold out crowd, who were immediately captivated by her mesmerising, angelic voice. The Sydney-based singer-songwriter, who came to prominence as a contestant on The Voice, danced around the stage playing tambourine on Fingertips before picking up her guitar for Patterns.

Whilst her band played a lengthy interlude, the songstress, who was initially dressed in a long white skirt and lace top, ran off stage only to return minutes later to perform Private wearing all black - a kind of visual representation of her transition from folk music to edgier electronic.

Pavey was clearly excited to perform with her friends and family in the audience, noting that it was the most amazing way for her to start the tour. She played a few new songs from the forthcoming album she's working on, all extremely well received by the audience. She played a couple of covers too, getting the entire audience to help her sing the riff of MGMT's Kids and performing her rendition of Jack Garratt's Breathe Life.

Although no one wanted it to, her set came to a close - Vera Blue performed fan-favourite Hold before leaving the stage to roaring applause.