Live Review: Royston Vasie, Immigrant Union, Dirt Farmer, The Quivers

Local shoegazers The Quivers look as though they'd really prefer to be somewhere else tonight. That said, they do play some jangly pop that is nicely reminiscent of those who stared at stage floors before them, even if it is ear-splittingly loud.

The members of Dirt Farmer, on the other hand, have no issue making eye contact. Their brand of laidback pop has a distinct summery feel to it that is like a breath of fresh air and the growing crowd certainly appreciates it.

Tonight is the last night of Immigrant Union and Royston Vasie's joint headline tour and things are off to a frustrating start when singer/guitarist Brent DeBoer has to actually ask for the house music to be turned off in order for Immigrant Union to begin their set. (Someone really should have been more on the ball since it was clear the band was ready to go for a while before he eventually asked.) But as they work their way through the beautifully cruisey My Heart's A Joke, it's clear we're in for a set where 'lush' doesn't even begin to describe the music this band is making. Their sound is so full and beautiful and their songs are such wonderfully constructed numbers that you're whisked away in an almost dreamlike state, yet there is not an ethereal bone to this band's collective body – the feeling is more 'real' than that. Courtney Barnett's guitar playing (not to mention her beautiful guitar) deserves particular mention, with her delicate picking and slide work putting the cherry on this very fine cake. For all the talk of Immigrant Union being a supergroup, which they effectively are, it really is refreshing to see a group of musicians coming together not to satiate their egos, but to write and play some incredibly beautiful music.

Royston Vasie's set starts off quietly (for them, at least) with Don't Waste Your Time. They have a harder edge and more straightforward sound than their tour-mates, so it's not long before they kick things up a notch. With help from Immigrant Union, they finish with a roaring version of the single they're launching tonight, Come On. There's no doubt that these boys know how to rock and that the punters love them for it.