Live Review: Hockey Dad, Horror My Friend, Stork

As far as hyping up crowds go, you'd be struggling to find a band that commits to the challenge further than locals boys, Stork. Since the huge show a week ago for their No Waves No Babes single launch, the guys have continued to ride the wave (sorry) of celebrations, with a sense of pride in officially releasing a track that all of Adelaide knows them for. Joined by their loyal fanbase, who were occupying the front rows, Stork rattled through their frantic punk-rock classics without hesitation and left the room buzzing.

Horror My Friend are currently in the midst of a massive season of touring and this was reflected in their set immediately - each moment incredibly well-rehearsed and naturally, effortlessly articulated. Opening with post-punk number Death Hill, the room filled as Josh Battersby's steadfast vocals and thrashing guitar were quickly recognised. Playing to a home crowd, big tracks from their debut LP such as Mazes and Stay In were met with a lot of love, before we heard some new material (including a song about sad stuff that brimmed with aggressive percussion and more '90s-inspired post-rock melodies). Switching vocalists and highlighting their ability to shift the band dynamic with ease, they closed with the shoegazey slow-burner PB Remains that ended with an outpouring scream, shaking us down to our bones.

Wrapping up their sold out Australian album tour for Boronia (2016), Windang pair Hockey Dad met a cheering crowd and a sea of shakas as they took to the stage. Things didn't take long to get rowdy and one guy got kicked out for crowd-surfing before the end of the first track, Can't Have Them. Curiously, the duo's relatively chilled out surf-rock caused a heavier crowd response, with plenty of enthusiasm and tumbling bodies. Jangling their way through Jump The Gun and So Tired, Boronia proved to be a whirling offering of sunny tunes, mostly about how it sucks to not be loved by someone (ie I Need A Woman). This unwavering modesty in both Zach Stephenson's lyrics and the infectious, indie-pop melodies make for a very likeable sound that had the entire crowd dancing along.

Following the grungy cover of Hole's Malibu, a huge crowd-favourite and throwback to their 2014 EP Dreamin', Seaweed, closed the night with its outcry of a chorus and collision of percussion. Returning briefly with Beach House as an encore, Hockey Dad and a bunch of other dudes then threw themselves into the welcoming arms of fans before legging it away from security one last time.