To celebrate their fourth birthday, Sosueme did what anyone four years old would do and had a party complete with popcorn, fairy floss, hats, animals, DJs, booze, and four of the best bands in Australia at the moment all in Oxford Art Factory – an overgrown child’s ultimate dream.

Running late to the event, I unfortunately missed out on seeing Red Coats – who I was told had a great set – making it just in time for Stonefield. The four sisters aged (at last check) 12-20 are what some people may consider ‘rather talented’, winning Triple J’s Unearthed High School last year and are already conquering Glastonbury this month. Stonefield reaffirmed why they are racing to the top at such a fast pace, producing a faultless set, laden with their psych-rock sound. Their tiny bassist owned the stage with her presence and ear-piercing scream during “Drowning”, swinging around her windmill of hair. Watching as members of the band sip their non-alcoholic waters, you may find that you begin to question your life and how you have been this productive in your life, spiraling into a hole of self-loathing when you realize you haven’t and maybe never will.

Next up were Guineafowl, and they also did not disappoint. The band commanded the attention of the now-full room with their high-energy, electro-pop set. With a six-piece band in tow, Guineafowl progressed seamlessly through songs. The electro-noise was toned down on some songs, providing a much fuller sound. The audience responded well, with sections of the audience enthusiastically bopping along, and some being brave enough to even pull off a few moves. Guineafowl made somehow getting caught in the middle of two guys fighting (who fights at Oxford Art Factory?) and subsequently getting a drink spilled into my eyes worth it.

Parades finished off the bands in the main room and without sounding wanky (read: I will), there was something magical about them. The air was electrostatic with sound and vibrations and the band rarely looked towards the crowd, so focused on their own music. It was clear that they play for themselves and not the accolades of others. Each member of the band was perfectly attuned to one another, producing an extremely tight set and perfectly replicating the songs from their debut album Foreign Tapes and their latest single “Water Stories”. It made their next album seem too far away.

Well done Sosueme, you throw parties well beyond your years.

Photo: Oliver James Minnett