Live Review: Parking Lot Experiments, The Harpoons

There are two notable things about tonight's audience: it's quite a large one considering this is a wintery Wednesday night and the vast majority of those in attendance look like they've stepped off the set of Beverly Hills, 90210 thanks to their preference for '90s fashion. The Harpoons get the night started and it's not long before singer Bec Rigby's voice weaves its way through the room, inciting people to dance in a manner that compliments their funky, soul tunes. Walk Away and Keep You Around delight the devoted crowd, even though at times the set feels a little like a band at a 1960s-themed Year 12 formal. The band reveal some exciting news: their new album was mastered the night prior. But it's yet to be named due to the band's inability to agree on a title.

Parking Lot Experiments provide what is surely a contender for set opening of the year. The four-piece look ready to immerse themselves in an intense instrumental moment, until bursts of Corona's Rhythm Of The Night break through and eventually take over to provide the soundtrack for a dance routine that the band performs. The crowd reaction is sheer ecstasy and suddenly the reason why so many people made an effort to come out on a school night is revealed. Their songs sound part-video game, part-electro, part-pop – all with a hint of chaos. One tune causes the drum kit to break and some parts are thrown into the crowd. Somewhere within the mind-bending set, one band member asks, “So have you all been keeping up with the Sister Act movies?”(Perhaps a nod to the unspoken dress code for the evening.)

To the disappointment of everyone in the room, Parking Lot Experiments announce that this second show of their mini-residency at The Toff In Town is their last of the year. This band makes it impossible not to smile, dance and discover that talented musicians don't actually have to take themselves seriously to earn respect.