BRIDEZILLA
FIREKITES
UNDER LIGHTS
HUNTER DIENNA
The Annandale Hotel, Annandale
14/06/08
Brother and sister duo
Hunter Dienna opened the evening with one guitar, occasional accordion and duel vocals, with guitarist Tom Waite’s low-down growl being complimented perfectly by sister Xanthe’s (below) softer tone. This minimalist sound, combined with intelligent, dark lyrics, created an enchanting atmosphere. Hopefully we will be seeing plenty more of this unconventional, intriguing two-piece in the future.
Also boasting two vocalists,
Under Lights displayed straightforward, strident rock with enough interesting parts and energy to keep the audience entertained. Next, Newcastle’s
Firekites offered largely instrumental, acoustic songs. While their set suffered from the absence of keyboardist/vocalist Jane Tyrell, it was certainly hypnotic and when the guitars, drums, violin and vocal all came together the result was something quite lovely.
![]()
Having frequented the Annandale stage on numerous occasions over the past couple of years, the venue must feel like a second home to
Bridezilla. After setting tongues wagging as a precociously talented bunch of schoolkids supporting longer-established acts, they worked their way up the gigging ladder until, on this cold June evening in 2008, the time had come to discover whether they were ready to step up to the mantle of being headliners themselves.
A busy room greeted the five teenagers, who looked typically elegant and showed an ever-growing confidence and poise as they performed tracks from their eponymous EP, of which
Brown Paper Bag and the brooding, epic
Chainwork were especially well-received.
Bridezilla’s continuing musical growth was illustrated by the fact that new song,
If I Had A Child, saw violinist Daisy Tulley play guitar (below) and take over singing duties, while the ever-entrancing Holiday Sidewinder harmonised and regular lead guitarist Pia May played autoharp. The group then returned to their more familiar instruments, with Tulley prowling atop the bar and weaving violin parts around Millie Hall’s lung-busting saxophone solos and Sidewinder’s powerful vocal.
Live favourite
St. Francine ended the set in a thrilling crescendo of noise and commotion. Considering how these five musicians have such a command over their instruments and the audience, it is hard to believe that they are still so young (remember, two of them are still doing their HSC). The rapturous reception that the quintet received as they encored with future single,
Forth and Fine, proved quite emphatically that Bridezilla are indeed ready to be headliners in their own right.
There has been a lot of talk about Cabins (below) lately, who opened the night. There is potential there, if the hype-machine lays off them.
Next up were Sherlock's Daughter (below), who were kinda wonderful. Quirky, eclectic and fun, their set improved with every song as their weird, cacophonous sound swirled around the room.
Fittingly, my last gig in Sydney was the band I have been championing from the beginning. I have written enough words about Bridezilla (below and at top) already, but suffice to say I cannot wait for their debut album later this year.
And so to England, where NME hails a new saviour of music every Wednesday...
