26 July 2024 – The Loft, Brisbane – words by Cecilia Pattison-Levi
There is something that feels really special and secret about a small club show on a Friday night in Brisbane. When a local Gold Coast band Friends of Friends hosted a launch of their new EP Real Life, Right Now with some other like-minded bands – it looked like the gig for me. So, on Friday night 100-odd people went to The Valley Loft to hear good music and dance away the stress of the work week. It was a special occasion, an opportunity for fans to find other people who appreciate the very talented local bands, and Australian music scene, with three great underground indie-rock bands on show.
The evening kicked off with a 5-song set from local Brisbane band Space&Ages. The band put out a high energy performance from the start with their electrifying rock sound. It was straight rock – two guitars, bass and a drummer with no digital undertow. What you see is what you get – and there was a lot to like listening to this young band. Their music infuses indie-rock energy with pop-punk guitar riffs and melody, elated choruses, and interesting bridges. The drummer and bassist were tight and in total unison and it gave the songs the structure to flow.
Their songs ‘Trial & Error’, ‘Friends’, ‘El Dorado’ and the outstanding ‘Ssr’ had the crowd singing and dancing along and they were appreciative of the band’s efforts. Also, members of the audience (musicians) went on stage to sing and play lead guitar to free up lead singer Phin Spence to concentrate on getting those vocals right. I would like to see more of this band.
After a short break, a Sydney based band EGOISM took to The Valley Loft stage. They are a three-piece band, Scout Eastment (guitarist/vocalist), Olive Rush (bass/vocalist) and Adam Holmes (drummer). And, what a magical sound they weave together. EGOISM sounded particularly wonderful with their dreamy brand of indie rock pop with the blended interplay of female/male vocals.
There was a lot to like in hearing this band with songs that demonstrate great melody and harmony but have that indie rock heart. Their songs ‘You You’, ‘What Are We Doing’, ‘Lonely But Not Alone’ and their new single ‘Sydney’ are heavenly. I really liked this set and enjoyed it so much. I think as Molly used to say/still says – do yourself a favour – listen to this band – and get onboard early. I was so entranced, I ‘spotified’ on the spot.
The reason I went to this gig was because I have been listening to Friends of Friends on Instagram and Spotifyand I thought an EP launch – let’s go. The band played a dazzling rock set with real personality and magnetism.Hailing from the Gold Coast, Friends of Friends delivered an energetic, uber-tight set that left me, as a newcomer to their live performance, very impressed. The drummer (Morgan Blake) was amazing and the lead singer (Barnaby Baker) was very charismatic. The band performed their own songs seamlessly with the guitarist and bassist holding it all together. It was a great live performance.
Friends of Friends new EP crafts a potent blend of razor-sharp sound and the songs ‘End of the World’, ‘Graves’,the wonderful ‘Scared to be Alone’ and energetic ‘Wolfgang’ demonstrates their musical inspirations from All Time Low, Blink-182, Radiohead, and Nine Inch Nails to their amazing cover of ‘With Or Without You’ by U2. Even their surprising cover of Ms Swift’s ‘Out of Style’ near the end of their set was so much fun and demonstrated their love of complex arrangement that sounds pop-rock easy, but isn’t.
I really liked Friends of Friends honest indie rock sound and their song writing of heartfelt narratives. The audience was just loving it. The night was a fantastic success – unsurprising, when it is filled with three fantastic young upcoming Australian bands who know how to write and play music.
NB: Advice for those attending any gigs at The Valley Loft. The venue’s name is a bit of a misnomer as The Valley Loft is on the ground floor below another, bigger venue called Wonderland. I got there but got lost right in front of the venue – until I asked some lined up fans that looked like they were going to a gig I would like and asked: “Where is The Valley Loft?”. Answer: “Here – this line”. It is a great venue. Staff are friendly, drinks are really good and the venue is intimate with good sound quality.
