For one of Brisbane’s recent breakthrough acts, Ball Park Music, Adelaide served as the final stop on the How I Met Ball Park Music tour. Choosing the small surrounds of Jive as their stage, the band brought their vibrant tunes to upper Hindley Street on this cold night.

20th Century Graduates were already playing when I arrived tonight, and being unaware that they were supporting was a pleasant surprise. There wasn’t a large amount of people gathered for the band, most of whom I recognised from either uni or just town in general. The chilled out atmosphere was infectious and I found myself curled up on one of Jive’s comfy couches for most of their set, happily listening to their bright indie pop. The seven piece band, squished onto the already small stage, reminded me quite a bit of Hungry Kids of Hungary, in terms of harmonies and sweet vocals with bouncing music. I don’t think you see enough trombone/trumpet action in live shows these days, something which this band took care of wonderfully. 20th Century Graduates started the night off well, as they brought down those brave enough to kick off some dancing on the floor, while most people hung back and downed some drinks.

Up next were City Riots, another band who I’d never actually seen live before tonight, but had heard a lot about. The four piece changed things up a bit, sounding heavier than their predecessors and drawing more people towards the stage. It was clear that the band had a following which had turned out in open support for them, which was great to see. Vocalist Ricky Kradolfer showed the potential of a bright and entertaining frontman, even if his voice was, at times, drowned out by the thumping levels of the bass that would continue to ripple throughout the set. Having supported Ball Park Music on all dates of their July tour, it was clear that the band members had built up a decent rapport with each other, as everyone was getting in on the live atmosphere. City Riots’ garage-lite sounds made a nice contrast between 20th Century Graduates, and even more so between the headliners; a wise move having them perform in the middle of tonight’s bill.

By the time Ball Park Music took to the stage, Jive had filled up considerably, and the punters were ready for a dance. Kicking off with “iFly”, the six-piece looked genuinely psyched to be performing for us, whether it was because we were the final show on their tour, or they were simply keen to do their thing. The show was as colourful as Sam Cromack’s shirt, with great crowd-band interaction, and an even better stage presence displayed by the band’s frontman. Cutting some dance moves Jarvis Cocker would be jealous of, Cromack’s quirkiness drove a lot of the set’s vibrancy. Jennifer Boyce was no shrinking violet, as she powered along with the boys on both bass and vocal duties.

Although they’ve only released a few records and are still burgeoning as a live act, Ball Park Music made performing with such a full-on stage set up effortless. They breezed through the show as if it was just another party night, and the crowd appreciated it greatly. Seeming to have a fondness for Adelaide, the ‘kids from the ball park’ lapped up all the crowd sent their way, and showed that they were equally as grateful. For this reviewer, who was battling the tail-end of the flu and Splendour in the Grass-depression, the Brisbane kids made me forget about both, and provided me with a special experience I won’t forget for a while now.