Live Review: The Smith Street Band, Press Club, Bec Sandridge

Adelaide's Thebarton Theatre was bursting at the seams with a sold-out crowd waiting to see Melbourne pub rockers The Smith Street Band perform on their extensive Australian tour.

Back entertaining the crowds following last year's visit to the City of Churches, Wil Wagner and co were supported by singer-songwriter Bec Sandridge and Melbourne-based openers Press Club. The four-piece, known for their indie-rock and high energy delivery, and complemented the line-up well and lead singer Natalie Foster channelled the late Chrissy Amphlett. With the crowd now filling out and ready for more, Bec Sandridge took to the stage to perform a solid set, taking photos of and with the crowd and setting the scene for the main act.

After a short interval and stage restructure, The Smith Street Band entered the stage, Wagner coming on last, and were greeted by huge applause. Black Bilt Revelator in hand, Wagner commanded the space, waving to the crowd as the band set the night's blistering tempo with It Kills Me To Have To Be Alive, Birthdays, Surrey Dive and Song For You. The Smith Street Band's sound is like an industrial power switch, fluctuating between moments of melodic silence, to better highlight Wagner's Australiana-accented style of singing, and a smashing wall of sound that at times physically knocks you around. Between heavy power chord resonance and Wagner's distinctive vocal style and streetwise banter, The Smith Street Band ply the craft of politically and socially aware pub rock at its finest.

Singles and crowd favourites Surrender, Wipe That Shit-Eating Grin Off Your Punchable Face, and Young Drunk were well-worn but graciously received, the sweat-drenched mosh in fine voice. But the highlight of the night came in the shape of a rousing, swashbuckling, beer-swilling edition of Death To The Lads - a thousand plastic beer cups swaying in the air as the crowd picked up their spirits and sang the chorus as loud as they possibly could.

After an hour and a half, Wagner thanked the crowd, reminded them of dubious times past in Adelaide carparks, but forgave the city for its misdemeanours and with his band in tow left the stage. Rhythmic clapping and singing from the 2000-strong audience guaranteed the obligatory encore and the band reappeared to play three more songs, much to the audience's delight.