Lions at Your Door
First cab off the ranks. These guys (and girls) opened up my first live gig at the Factory Theatre and I loved how warm, crisp and clear the sound was. The band started off with warm, jazzy tones and the lead singer kicked it out with soul. She seemed to get a little less shy as time went by, a violin was introduced, a (very quiet) korg synth started playing, and loud drums moved the place into a very exciting atmosphere.

Deep Sea Arcade
These guys came onstage and what was immediately apparent to me was how similar they sounded to other low key, folky Australian acts like Lior or Sarah Blasko, only without the emotional tugs that make the former so great. The sound was a little bit psychadelic and a little bit sad, the bassist was great and the lead singer was ever the performer and had a great stage presence.

Jonathan Boulet
These guys came as a big surprise. Recently signed to Modular (and understandably so) these guys are worthy of all the praise and success that (hopefully) comes to them. They had an edgy, modern take on all the hipster indie-dance-rock acts of today and spun a nice, melancholy twist to the whole genre (post-indie-dance-rock?). I think everyone in the room was entranced - the great hooks were flowing, the choruses were delivered, and the terribly shy lead singer/guitarist let the music do all the talking. The set was interspersed with a few animal collective style psychadelic breakdowns, keyboard hits, guitar feedback and noise which personally always makes me gasm. The drummer delivered great beats too, these guys are mesmerizing. Surprisingly mature, considering none of them look over 20.

BRIDEZILLA
Speaking of mesmerizing, the four girls walked onstage like they've done this hundreds of times - they began with seriously tight musicianship and each girls passion for their art showed throughout the entire set. Each of the ladies got their spotlight on the stage and delivered powerful choruses, the lead guitarist let loose with crunched up chords, the lead singer having a nice interlude on the keyboard, the very groovy saxophonist, but it was the violinist who stole the show. Thomping around in doc martens, making the strings screetch and bleed, delivering classic emotive breakdowns (that I think left everyone a little misty eyed), and really uplifting high points, it was nice to see a performer with exhibiting total devotion to her craft. The gorgeous lead singer rode along the waves of emotion throughout the show as well, steering from soft, soulful crooning to all out shouting as the set progressed. My first time seeing these guys, what a talented bunch.