Live Review: RTRFM Winter Music Festival

RTR FM's Winter Music Festival follows a similar model to the US's famed music industry showcase events à la SXSW or CMJ. A handful of venues within walking distance showcased line-ups of must-see local acts, all accessible with one handy wristband. Some spots packed out quicker than others, and the Swan Lounge was heaving by half-eight. Amanda Merdzan wooed the crowd with her soulful melodies and songwriting that has always seemed beyond her years. In between acts gig-goers checked their circled schedules and scuttled off to the next venue, packing in as many artists as possible. Next at the Swan Lounge was Davey Craddock & the Spectacles, a lively alt-country pop band with an on-stage energy to match. Despite a strong start, a few subdued songs thinned out the crowd – with so many other options, a festival crowd needs a single-laden set to keep them put. Over at the Railway Hotel, Fall Electric were faced with a similar dilemma; the steady build of their soundscapes that is so often mesmerising was less at home amongst the varied crowd, and the venue was already emptying by the end of their set. Next up Gunns took their Beach Boys-esque harmonies and sentimental '70s guitar sounds to an eager crowd, but the real highlight at the Railway were headliners Apricot Rail. With a medley of instruments on stage, they soothed the rowdy crowd with film score-worthy songs and even better, actually seemed to be enjoying themselves.

It was a small but focused group at the North Fremantle Bowls Club that took in the deep pulse of Sacred Flower Union, a one-man act which relies on knob twisting and pedal pushing to create rich, dark beats. At Mojo's things were already more festive as Leon Osborn coaxed the crowd into early moves with his glitchy, layered tunes. Although his intelligent production kept the audience engaged, greater crowd acknowledgement would have been nice. There were no such drawbacks at the Swan Basement, however, where Seams' energetic, sunny pop resonated profoundly to a packed room. Their slightly psychedelic tunes, which recall El Guincho at its more tropical moments, are tight and well crafted, and a cover of Os Mutantes' Bat Macumba was a fine close to their set. The darker, moodier tones of Rokwell & Groom didn't dilute the upbeat vibe as they ran through cuts from their imminent debut album. Tracks such as Impossible Alps, which pairs Felicity Groom's soaring vocals with Diger Rokwell's beats and atmospheric guitar lines, typify the partnership's success. Picking up the pace at Mojo's, Ylem was in the unenviable position of sharing his space with two graceless stage invaders. Still, he took it in his stride and dispensed a polished set. Back at the Bowls Club, Doctopus was battling a drop-in too, but this Freo native was decidedly bolder, trying to incite a singalong to Billy Joel's Piano Man as the band peddled their slacker grunge. After a delayed start the unorthodox quartet that is Mental Powers closed out proceedings and their at-times heavy, grinding beats, littered with warm melodies, were punctuation marks on an excellent night.