Live Review: Atlas Genius, Glass Towers, Gang Of Youths

Hey Gang Of Youths: The Boss called – he didn't leave a message, but I gather it's either about frontman David Leaupepe's alimony cheques he's definitely posting this week, or he's looking for the payment on David Leaupepe's last coaching session. But, lame Springsteen gags aside, if you couldn't hear the familiar vocal cues and songwriting then what the hell were you doing at a live music gig anyway? Apart from some excessive mumbling (a crime when the singer has such a great voice) and moody-youth-oriented thematic content, the similarities were stunning. This should serve as a compliment and a warning: Gang Of Youths should be genuinely proud to exude such confidence and swagger (and ability). They win points for clearly having told whoever told them before the show they weren't playing a stadium to fuck off, but it should also remind them to take a cue from the Boss' book on How To Be Humble And Play For the Crowd. The level of musical masturbation going on was irritating. Say what you will though, they shut the room right up with a beautiful and haunting live version of Riverlands.

Glass Towers are rad. We've previously given them props about their debut album Halcyon Days and it's great to report they're delivering top drawer live sets on the back of its release. Lead singer Ben Hannam has this engaging duality in his stage presence that says he wants to take you out to a nice seafood dinner and then go egging in his Datsun afterwards. His jittery banter was precocious and his sweat-slicked coif, wry smile and breezy confidence were giving the girls (and a guy or two) the vapors. It was a tight dance-rock set that they kept under masterful control. They played at 100 percent and squeezed out all the good stuff they could from admittedly derivative songwriting, delivering a highly charged, highly entertaining show. They were easily the best part of the night.

Atlas Genius are one of Adelaide's recent success stories. The brothers Jeffery politely conducted themselves during a set that didn't ruffle any feathers and never really lifted off either. They performed well and their easy-listening alt-pop material, whilst being a bit lukewarm, had polish and charm. The unadorned guitar work was buoyant and crisp and Keith's vocals were warm and natural. This was inoffensive music done really well, and served as a nice mid-week escape.