Live Review: Voyager, Caligulas's Horse, Toehider, Orsome Wells

There’s a queue trailing from bandroom to main bar at The Workers Club tonight, which is a great sign for the bands, but not so great for those overheard discussing the odds of getting in without a pre-purchased ticket. “Sold out” is written on the chalkboard at the front of the line, which seals the deal. Inside, Orsome Welles confidently deliver a set featuring dynamics that align with the prog-rock method, yet skirt more toward a rock aesthetic. Crash And Burn evokes the melodicism of Alice In Chains, with heavy riff and no-frills guitar lead.

Next up, and with smiles plastered on dials, Toehider revel in this opportunity to translate the wizardry of their studio recordings to the live arena. Band guru Michael Mills dazzles all in attendance with a high register falsetto that undoubtedly has all dogs within a 5km radius pricking up their ears. Launching their What Kind Of Creature Am I? album this evening, the group are on top of their game, with the exception of a couple of bung notes that induce onstage laughter. The piss-taking camaraderie and sheer enthusiasm on display makes watching Toehider a joy, and Mills’ creativity in harmoniously looping his vocals leaves punters gobsmacked.

Tonight’s line-up features prog-rock bands from three states, and Caligula’s Horse wave the Queensland flag with gusto. More hirsute these days than during previous visits to these parts, vocalist Jim Grey brims with confidence – a ball of energy who makes a point of utilising the maximum amount of this stage’s minimal space. Tracks from latest release The Tide, The Thief & River’s End are aired, including Into The White – Grey revealing the band rarely play this track live. The intense Dark Hair Down closes their set.

Perth’s Voyager get down to the business of launching their latest album V. “Are we ready to have a sweaty time?” asks frontman Danny Estrin before the band kicks off with The Morning Light. Estrin encourages crowd participation in the form of Euro-style fist pumping and his appreciative, “Melbourne, that is where it’s at!” after a call and response lets us know we’ve done well. The rousing A Beautiful Mistake is well received and screams fill the air as the opening notes for Hyperventilating ring out; Estrin gleefully films the crowd with his phone as the song finishes.

In true Voyager form, the group whips out a medley of tongue-in-cheek tracks, this time including (among others) Backstreet Boys’ Everybody (Backstreet’s Back) and Prodigy’s Firestarter. Toehider’s Michael Mills is welcomed back to the stage to help out on Meat Loaf’s I’d Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That) and AC/DC’s Highway To Hell, the medley ending with John Farnham’s You’re The Voice. The Meaning Of I shrugs off the cheeseball humour, with crowd-surfers now thrashing about in the small pit. Live favourite I Am The Revolution then concludes the set and brings a night of proud and progressive Australian rock to an end.