Reviewed on Saturday May 30

It was a case of the east coast meets the west coast at the Enmore Theatre in the heart of Newtown’s vibrant live music scene. Unlike the bloody war that raged between hip hop’s finest from opposing sides of the US in the ’90s, Western Australia’s musical exports were welcomed with open arms at a completely sold-out gig. The headliners, indie-pop whizz kids San Cisco, made the inspired move to invite two of Perth’s most exciting up-and-coming bands to tour the country with them.

Experimental pop-rockers Methyl Ethel warmed up the crowd like any respectable opening act should, resulting in many enthusiastic crowd members choosing to ditch their winter coats and jumpers in favour of singlets and some serious dance moves. Their latest single ‘Twilight Driving’ was a highlight, and their debut album Oh Inhuman Spectacle,due for release this week, should garner them the attention they deserve.

Three-piece electronic outfit Crooked Colours took us on a weird and wonderful journey throughout their 45-minute set. Seductive beats, resonating vocals and intimate lighting set the mood, as their charismatic frontman Phillip Slabber asked the crowd to dance with him. If you haven’t heard their new single ‘Another Way’, you’re missing out.

Following a long interval, the crowd began to get restless and a fevered chant for San Cisco ensued. After waiting more than long enough to build suspense, the four friends took to the stage among deafening squeals of delight, and launched straight into fan favourite ‘Golden Revolver’.

The setlist was a healthy mix of old and new tunes, with Gracetown songs and older single ‘Beach’ inciting a singalong. But the real highlight of the first half was when the opening chords of their super catchy mega hit ‘Awkward’ rang out – that it sparked mass hysteria might be an understatement.

The happy vibes continued along as they delved into the crowd-pleasing ‘Too Much Time Together’, followed by ‘Bitter Winter’ and ‘Snow’. A hush fell over the audience when drummer Scarlett Stevens descended from her drum kit to perform a sensual version of ‘Super Slow’, alongside frontman Jordi Davieson.

The night came to a happy end with an all-out party onstage, after Davieson encouraged the guys from Methyl Ethel and Crooked Colours out from the wings to join them for the chorus of ‘Fred Astaire’. In an impromptu move, bass guitarist Nick Gardner swept Stevens up in his arms to pose for a band photo, using the packed theatre as a backdrop – a fitting way to end the final show on this tour.

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