Live Review: Sleeping With Sirens, Lower Than Atlantis, The Faim

As the clock strikes six, a pounding drum pattern fills the room as The Faim tear onto the stage as tonight's opening act and these Perth rockers are something else. Singer Josh Raven's voice is impeccable and outstanding, showing a likeness to the gritty tone of Kings Of Leon's Caleb Followill. Jaws drop all around as Raven hits exceptional notes, both low and high, with utmost ease as passionate slow burner Make Believe erupts into its emotive chorus. A crisp falsetto in the final song leaves this reviewer laughing in disbelief, almost forgetting this band are just the openers. 

Lower Than Atlantis from the UK kick off their set with Had Enough, bringing a quirky high energy. Frontman Mike Duce's vocals are smooth - with a similar tone to that of James Arthur - but, unfortunately, lack strength and articulation. As Emily brings a vibrant pop melody, it's gorgeous to watch the chaperoning dads in the crowd jumping along with their kids. An awkward creation of a circle-pit just leaves a bunch of people skipping around in circles at a leisurely pace and attempts at crowd singalongs fall flat. We get called Sydney, band members are passed the wrong guitars for one song and it all starts to unravel. But props to Lower Than Atlantis for trying to maintain the crowd's enthusiasm. 

The opening beat to We Like It Loud rings out as pop-punk legends Sleeping With Sirens crash onto the stage to a deafening scream, bassist Justin Hills balancing his guitar in the air on one hand. For the older kids in the audience, the sight of Kellin Quinn is a nostalgic flashback as he still looks the same as he did in the old Tumblr days with skinny jeans and shaggy hair. "You guys are my fuckin' family," Quinn remarks, referring to having written Better Off Dead at his lowest point, adding that the fans have kept him going. Covering every inch of the stage, the band put in 100%, really immersing themselves in creating their sound and engaging with the crowd. Quinn notices a fan's sign requesting that he join the band on stage to play The Strays and, in a matter of moments, said fan Zac is up there with them. With acoustic guitar in hand, Zac could be the happiest person on earth right now and he absolutely nails it as the atmosphere in the room becomes a warm and happy buzz. Sleeping With Sirens cover mostly new tunes from their last two releases Gossip and Madness, and Quinn's iconically high vocal range never waivers, his impromptu vocal runs resonating across the hall and creating goosebumps. 

An encore is demanded and delivered. "Stay for tonight/If you want to/I can show you," blasts through the speakers to open If I'm James Dean, You're Audrey Hepburn, the song that kickstarted the band's career nine years ago, and all the teen hearts start thumping. If You Can't Hang is another ode to those early days and, when Quinn swings the mic around his neck as strobes flash over coloured lights we feel 15 again. As the night closes out with Kick Me, our hearts are full and our voices hoarse.