Live Review: Jess Ribeiro, Magic Steven, Gregor, Venetian Blinds

In a double-header of shoegazing sprawl, Venetian Blinds kick off the evening with their industrial stylings before turning things over to the more Smiths-inspired world of Gregor. Neither are within reach of tonight’s headliner when it comes to style or genre, but the bands quickly get the crowd on side for a night of entertainment.

Venetian Blinds

Gregor

Local spoken word performer Magic Steven takes to the stage as the final warm-up act of the evening. It's odd not just to have a diarist introduce a Saturday night indie show, but also just how well it works. Armed with a wryly hilarious monologue tackling abbreviations and the concept of time, he perfectly preps the crowd and brings the energy up for the main attraction.

Emerging from behind the curtains, Jess Ribeiro's bouffant beehive finally appears. It’s a slightly rocky start as the band sort some last-minute tech issues, but once the music begins it’s clear that faulty cables are where their worries end.

Under the guise of a single launch, Ribeiro’s new tour is a chance to tease a bevy of new tunes from her forthcoming album. If the tunes on offer tonight are anything to go by, the next release is going to see the Melbourne singer head into more indie-pop territory, and her fans are all on board for the next step in her career.

New tunes such as Vignette 1 - Cry Baby and Stranger are delivered with sheer musical perfection, though Ribeiro herself lacks the energy of her music throughout the night. Her relaxed demeanour in between tunes suddenly disappears when it’s time to play and the singer is all business as she performs. Be that as it may, Ribeiro’s serious side makes for a faultless musical performance as she and her band cruise their way through new and old material alike.

Ribeiro and co finally hit the crowd with the main event and Love Is The Score Of Nothing receives an explosion of love from the crowd. Shimmering with sardonic lyricism and indie flair, Ribeiro channels the likes of Angel Olsen and Sharon Van Etten with her new music all the while staying true to her own unique style.

In a night of broad music styles and performances, Ribeiro holds this crowd firmly in the palm of her hand. She may be strictly business at times, but business is good.