Global Young Leaders fundraising show

I attended the Global Young Leaders fundraising show at Sydney’s Annandale Hotel last Sunday:Bridezilla frontwoman Holiday Sidewinder is heading to America for the Global Young Leaders conference in June, so to raise funds she put on a show with a little help from her friends and family. First up were brother and sister duo Hunter Dienna, whose minimalist sound required just one guitar and the occasional accordion, yet was still dizzyingly atmospheric and gothic. Thomas' low-down growl juxtaposed nicely with Xanthe’s softer vocal, landing them not a million miles from the collaboration between Mark Lanigan and Isabel Campbell.

The ever-captivating Loene Carmen (below) was next up, and she was backed by a supergroup comprised of some familiar faces as she rattled though songs from her latest long-player, Rock n Roll Tears. “So you fucked it up,” she snarled in that amazing vocal at the start of Don’t Let Her Slip Away, which was indicative of the equally vitriolic and seductive nature of her barnstorming set.Even by the high standards they have set for themselves, Bridezilla, frankly, were magnificent. Oozing confidence and sass, they were watched by the largest crowd of the day. Holiday’s presence as frontwoman grows increasingly strong with each gig, while her fellow band members also looked like they were born to be on stage. In front of drummer Josh – who looked especially suave in his suit - Pia and Millie were assured and cool, while Daisy, always the firebomb to Holiday’s left, prowled atop the bar.

The Scare polished things of with a riotous display which had the fans at the front going nuts, as vocalist Kiss Reid - animated, mesmerising and a bit terrifying – expelled a throat-busting vocal. Having been joined for one song by the evening’s hostess, they brought proceedings to a close with Bats! Bats! Bats! which saw Kiss roam around the room and stagedive. No-one could accuse him of not giving it his all.

Holiday dashed onto stage at the end to thank everyone for coming. The fact that she did so amid chants of her name and requests for more songs suggests that the day was a success. Ten bucks well spent.