On Sunday the 12th of July kids swarmed into the Annandale Hotel for Indent's Save FBI gig featuring Cloud Contor, Tom Ugly, The Bennisons and Sierra Fin. Janette Chen was there silently writing notes between sets and soaking in the very much so ALL AGES of it all. This is her story..."By the time the afternoon’s audience trickled out of the Annandale, the clouds had parted to make way for a sunny sense of optimism for the future of FBi and the all ages gigs to come."
Indent presents SAVE FBi: Sierra Fin, The Bennisons, Tom Ugly, Cloud Control @ The Annandale Hotel, Sunday 12 July 2009
On a bleak Sunday noon, rain was falling on Sydney’s all ages scene. As shoes met the sticky floors of the Annandale Hotel, it was surprising how literally the term ‘all-ages’ was to apply to the afternoon’s audience. Only at an all ages gig would one be warmed by the sight of a father picking up his little girl to point out the workings of rock n roll as bands moved their gear on and off stage. Young and old, parents of children and band members alike had gathered here to save the all ages scene just as much as we were to save FBi, and they were not about to be disappointed.
Sierra Fin warmed up the crowd with their brand of orchestral indie pop, both soaring and understated, their music was controlled and tranquil on the surface with a hint of the unknown. Faced with a few technical difficulties at first, the band soldiered on for singer Russ Tainton to take his ukulele a-strutting off the stage during Blue Day Sun. He hummed and strummed across the bar and into the crowd, where he played from the back of the room before waltzing back on stage to cheers. Now with the full attention they deserved, the band
continued strongly with Been Sleeping, and All Out of Favours. Sierra Fin finished their set with the brilliant Wrapped In Plastic, which stirred all the dormant potential of outbreak until it exploded into an emotionally manic keyboard smashing. Every single member of the band went the distance on this parting number, an effort clearly felt by the crowd.
With such a high bar set before them, The Bennisons were less seasoned performers in comparison. The band were so high school, they may as well have just said, "Oh, sorry Miss, I forgot to do my homework,” but then again, they didn’t remember to bring a hi-hat stand or a bass pedal either, so it goes without saying. Singer Daniel Holliday raised his arms to mess up his hair self consciously and babble into the microphone between every song, encouraging the crowd to sing along with their cover of the Arctic Monkeys’ When The Sun Goes Down, by saying “stop fixing your fringes”. But these were just small bumps along the way to the music, which took inspiration from the current array of British indie rock. Playing an extended set, The Bennisons outstayed their visit a little, after promising their last song at least three times. Not that the audience seemed to mind. Songs such as La Primera and The Silhouette sparked a few enthusiastic dances.
Equally young, previous triple j Unearthed High winner, Tom Ugly took to the stage and the experience afforded to them by this leg up was clear, as they shook the Annandale with their catchy electro-rock. Just shy of his eighteenth birthday, songwriter Tom Ugly showed off his effortless ability to switch between his vocal duties, guitar and synths, all while stomping about to Fantasy, Eyes Like Water, and singles Roll Again and Cult Romance. All four performers rocked in full gear, and the same crowd which had previously been wary of standing too close to the stage had been drawn forward to witness the spectacle.
But it was Cloud Control’s presence that turned a previously loose crowd into a tight one, and rightly so. The Blue Mountains four piece reminded everyone why they are lauded as one of the most promising indie bands on the scene at the moment. Offering a strong, solid set, enthusiasm and gummy lollies, Cloud Control thrilled fans with their indie folk-pop. The energy of both performers and audience members bounced off each other, until there were handclaps and arm
waves abound during crowd favourites Vintage Books, Deathcloud and Buffalo Country. The only thing which may have left anyone unsatisfied was their departure. After several cries for an encore, there loitered still a few hopefuls eager for more. If this performance was anything to go by, there will be great things to expect from Cloud Control, as they are writing their debut album as we speak.
By the time the afternoon’s audience trickled out of the Annandale, the clouds had parted to make way for a sunny sense of optimism for the future of FBi and the all ages gigs to come.
Photo's by Britt Reed eekbrinee@hotmail.com
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Posted Thu 16th Jul, 2009 by Meg.
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