Live Review: Elliot The Bull, Kiids, The Patriots

The Patriots began the night with happy vibes. Their surf-rock aesthetic was complemented by a surprisingly tight sound for youngsters. Their vocals were playful, and coupled with the crashing percussion work, their sound progressed and sounded fresh, cheeky, and vibrant. The Patriots' vocals morphed and twisted, showing off the lead singer's range and glittering guitar riffs.

Kiids launched into their set with gusto. Their sound was dense and gritty. The apathetic hunch on the back of the guitarist rang true with the general energy of their set. They aimed to exude darkness through layered percussion, deep bass and dreamy guitar licks. Their vocals were erratic and interchangeable, as they amplified the harshness of their set, while the guitar seemed to careen into the night.

The masculinity and charisma of Elliot The Bull was tangible in The Small Ballroom. Lead singer, keyboardist, guitarist, and all-round nice guy Jake Dobson took to the stage with determination, exhibited in his domineering and rich vocal tone.  The bass from Jared Drennan made for a stealth backbone to the set, which in turn complemented his dark backing vocals.

The set took multiple twists and turns. Splices of prog-rock, alternative, and even whiffs of folk were worked in with the help of their undeniable talent and cohesion as a band. Their energy was unwavering as they launched into song after song, incorporating keys, acoustic and electric guitar to form a choral sound made even bolder by the vocal work.

The guitar from Simon Dobson screeched and wailed as his brother Jake manipulated the synth to produce a howling sound for their track Dazed from their EP of the same title. The live rendition seemed haunted, tortured, and extremely well produced. Screaming vocal work and heart-shattering percussion from Milan Savic made this track beautifully emotive.

To cap off their explosive set, Elliot The Bull launched into their new single off their EP, Colourblind. The band encouraged the revelers to dance to this track that was laden with heavy percussion, echoing vocals, and tenacious guitar work. Their live rendition sailed miles above the recorded track, proving why Elliot The Bull are dedicated to the art and the passion of the live show.