Live Review: Alpine, Jess Kent

Adelaide-raised, now Sydney-based singer-songwriter Jess Kent emerged on stage decked in a thick gold chain, puffy white bomber jacket, a mesh tank top and skirt, channeling early MIA in musical style, energy and dress. She performed her insanely catchy indie-electro-pop track 1993 (No Chill), from her collaboration with Gold Coast producer Paces, jumping around the stage, hyping up a room near capacity. Kent ended with crowd favourite Get Down before proudly thanking the crowd and walking off stage.

Melbourne six-piece band Alpine burst onto stage bringing with them a dynamic and fiery energy, vocalists Phoebe Baker and Lou James both giving their all from the very first song. "We haven't played at the Oxford in yonkydonks. I feel like we're old ladies now!" The band performed Seeing Red off their debut 2012 LP A Is For Alpine, causing the crowd to sing along in hysterics. Their cheerful presence on stage (mainly via Baker and James) was infectious, and their personas wildly expressive, free and totally animated. Damn Baby off their last album Yuck, was just as fun to watch and be a part of live.

The brilliant wispy vocals of Gasoline seemed like the perfect way to end the night, and after the band had walked off stage, the crowd demanded an encore. Alpine emerged back on stage playing a few more songs, after Baker attempted a few handstands on stage and lay on the floor side by side with Lou James, legs crossed in the air with their backs towards the audience. The members of Alpine were so unwavering — and the audience members absolutely adored them for it. Following their set the girls bent down to hug a few lucky fans and even kiss their hands as they walked off stage.