Live Review: Zoophyte, Vida Cain, The Elliotts

First band to open up for Zoophyte are three-piece The Elliotts, donning matching shirts and brimming with enthusiasm. Likeable frontman and band namesake, Robbie Elliott, spends considerable time pogoing about the stage, at times looking as though he may lose control of the wheel. Hopping between bass and synth duties, James Howlett slings his Fender bass low, clearly enjoying the camaraderie of the three, which includes a very Larry Mullen Jr.-looking Josh Thompson behind the kit. Unbridled enthusiasm makes up a major part of the trio's charm, and after getting things going with the mellow Say Something, the boys crank the energy levels with What's Your Name – a thumping bassline helping pick up the pace. Concluding the set with Stay The Night, the band end on a high note.

Vida Cain hail from Perth, supporting Zoophyte hot on the heels of the video release for first single, Only Love Things. Immediately getting down to the business of getting down, Vida Cain play track after track with the minimal fuss of a band whose members have seen and done it all before. Lead singer and guitarist Josh Johnstone is a veteran of the Perth scene and tonight leads the charge, a Gibson SG his weapon of choice. Tracks like Domino are executed tightly, imbued with a real Aussie pub-rock flavour. The band round out their set with the groove-laden Reloader amidst cheering from Perth ex-pats and Melburnians alike.

Headliners Zoophyte hit the stage, bringing their stadium rock sound with them. Looking every bit the part as dishevelled rock stars, the foursome open with instrumental noodlings before launching into their brand of uplifting, guitar heavy rock anthems. Let You Go is a set highlight and is played early, its echoing guitar leading into the brash chorus, ideal for drunken audience participation. Floating throughout the crowd all night checking sound levels (but mainly cheering brother and lead singer Cam Lee on) Andy Lee takes to the stage to handle trumpet duties for the more sombre Crusaders, the brass lending a nice timbre to the band's sound.

The set (and evening) standout is a cover of Screamin' Jay Hawkins' I Put A Spell On You, which adds a much-needed dose of sleaze to proceedings and is the perfect way to end the night.