Live Review: Mike Noga, Roadhouses, Jep & Dep

There's no better way to warm into a great night of music than experiencing the dulcet tones of Jep & Dep. The Sydney folk-noir pairing of Jessica Cassar and Darren Cross deliver warm, hypnotic and deliciously soothing tunes about 'poor little rich kids', harsh relationship break-ups and tears — lots of tears. Music to lose yourself in.

Roadhouses describe themselves as "codeine tempo anti-romance". It's an accurate depiction of a band that play so slowly that you almost feel yourself snoring. Not that it's boring, or bad; it's just overtly mellow. Yvonne Moxham's vocals are delicately placed and perfectly pitched, while the band play a precise down-tempo mood with searching guitars and muted drums. Let yourself be transported to a quiet Western town and look out for the rattlesnakes.

Mike Noga is better known as the drummer from The Drones, but his solo pursuits have been turning heads as he tours on the back of his most ambitious album yet, King. The concept album based on Woyzeck follows the path of two characters, Jack and Mary, a down-and-out couple from 1950s Australia.

Starting his set with fast-paced breathing, Noga then launches into Nobody Leads Me To Flames with vigour. His stage presence is frantic, his banter is exceptional and there is something tangible about the music he creates. The crowd is enthralled by the performance from Noga and band, who support his stage theatrics exceptionally well. The story continues as we follow Jack's descent into madness heading towards a bloody end. The music sets the scene brilliantly as he completes the album from start to finish.

It's a visceral, enlightening performance from an entertainer and songwriter that deserves accolades for creating a piece of music that, in itself, narrates a gripping and compelling tale.