I entered the small, rather classy, venue to be greeted by City Calm Down. With no six-string in sight, the quartet was made up of vocals, some serious synth-action, drums and bass, creating pretty hectic dance beats. Behind the trendy haircuts and skinny-leg jeans were some talented musicians playing some killer dance songs. One number, ‘You Can Have It So Much Better’ featured a little saxophone, sounding like ‘Baker Street’ on ecstasy. Their set consisted of a Joy Division cover, ‘Disorder’, taking, only slightly, their own spin on the sullen track. Like some sort of Depeche Mode/New Order/Pet Shop Boys mash up, it was an exciting performance to watch, everyone was moving, on the stage and the crowd.

Then of course was the Frankston foursome, Red Ink, and their lively guitar-driven pop songs, think Razorlight only better and without the wanky attitude! Lead singer John was extremely engaging in his performance, energetic and inviting, everything a good frontman should be, as well as having pretty fit voice, which can come in handy to a lead singer! Their music is ‘no catch’ pop rock anthems that you somehow find yourself singing along to despite never having heard the songs before. The crowd was pumped for the whole of the set, and leaving their single (the release of which the show was in support of) ‘Audrey’ till last pushed them all over the edge and chanting for more. Though their songs aren’t life changing, or paving any sort of ‘new way’ for music, there was never a dull moment, with each tune just as catchy and fun-loving as the last. It was also refreshing to see the band themselves having a great time, rather than just standing there, bashing away at their instruments, nonchalantly.

There are lot of similar bands to Red Ink making their way around Melbourne as of late, and I don’t feel these guys are necessarily any better, but they can clearly pen a catchy tune and hold their own against anyone they may be put up against!