When offered the chance to see twenty of Sydney’s established and up and coming bands in one night, you realise it is going to be a busy night.  However we weren’t quite prepared for the enthusiastic attendance this night attracted.  Catching the selected acts required precision planning in order to tackle the mass of bodies moving between each room.  But with such talent on offer, no one was really complaining. 

Regular live music night MUM was celebrating its third birthday, and had assembled a formidable line-up, including established acts such as Richard in Your Mind and The Laurels, to rising stars such as Domeyko/Gonzalez and buzz band Guineafowl. 

Wandering from room to room early on, I was lucky enough to catch Decorated Generals who blend a traditional rock base with gentle, considered vocals.  Consideration is also given to the interplay of instruments, with keyboard and trumpet combining beautifully to accompany genuinely strong vocals.  When keys and brass are so often included in tokenistic fashion, it is pleasing to see a band utilise these contributions effectively.   

Decorated Generals are adept at shaping the mood within a song.  “Dark Glasses” builds throughout, whilst “Story About a Rumour” features intense vocals which match the subject matter . “Call Him Out” is more atmospheric, as the keyboard provides a moody swing. Decorated Generals are versatile, and have captured the attention of an early crowd in an impressive manner. 

Our next choice was Convaire, representing a shift towards a more electronic contribution.  Convaire are just plain good old fashioned fun.  Lead vocalist John Towey is so exuberant in his delivery that you cannot stop watching.  Sisters Jane and Liz Slattery provide keyboard and synth accompaniment and as the band dances whilst performing, their enthusiasm and enjoyment is infectious throughout the audience.   

Convaire had a busy end of 2009 with regular gigs around Sydney, and this experience shows.  The band are relaxed but professional, creating a deep and layered sound positioning them above the standard electronic offerings from local bands.  “Bad Taste” is one of their standout tracks, and has the audience dancing.  Hopefully 2010 can prove even more successful for the delightful group. 

We Say Bamboulee are one of my favourite local bands.  Their songs are filled with light, and seem to speak of better place than here. It is impossible not to enjoy yourself whilst watching them. The boys fuse an intense reliance on synth-based samples with strong live vocals and percussion. I have previously seen them in smaller rooms, and their sound was perfect.  However tonight, in a larger, slightly cavernous room, their balance seems to be lost in the crowd, resulting in a loss of their textured performance.  However tracks such as “Funeral Social” are perfectly formed pop songs, carrying the audience with upbeat energy which climaxes with trumpet solo from Doug Wright.  I could listen to this song all day. 

We Say Bamboulee are hampered by their surrounds, but saved by their outstanding songs.  Definitely a band to catch in a more intimate venue soon, if only to be able to fully appreciate the geek chic look they wear so well.   

The final band we managed to catch for the night was WiM.  After a series of gigs throughout March and April, Sydney has become quite familiar with the WiM set-list.  So it came as no surprise to see them debuting a new list in anticipation of the release of their debut LP.  The majority of their performance is new material, and shows WiM embracing their established love of the sombre beginning, with each track growing and developing into lush harmonies.  These new offerings are certainly impressive, however it is the familiar material which has the audience responding most enthusiastically.  “Something for You” triggers a group sing a long, as lead vocalist Martin Solomon clambers throughout the crowd, adorned with a gold shawl, glitter and a party hat.  Music aside, this band certainly has style. 

“Milk With My Tea” features versus which swing, juxtaposed against a bouncier chorus- the highpoint for audience engagement.  You can see the boys having fun, and as this material becomes more familiar following their album release, I am certain that both audience reception and band confidence will improve. 

Whilst making it to see all the bands you choose was always going to be impossible, it is difficult to complain about a crowded venue.  So many people present to enjoy live music has got to be a good thing, so congratulations and thank you to MUM for providing such a platform for live music in Sydney. Oh, and Happy 3rd Birthday!