Bridezilla return with new single

We've been raving about Bridezilla since the dawn of time. Well, actually since we first chanced upon them as a bunch of dorky-yet-seriously-fucking-cool teenagers playing at Candy's Apartment in King's Cross in 2006. Since that moment, we've basically bent the ear of anyone who would or wouldn't listen about the Sydney band's total awesomeness. So you might have been wondering what the heckins has happened to them lately. It has, after all, been a little quiet on the Bridezilla front.

Well, after gaining acclaim, touring Australia, the UK and the US and releasing an EP and an album, the five-piece have indeed been laying low for a couple of years and doing their own thang - indivdual music projects and the like. Drummer Josh is in the band Pear Shaped, vocalist Holiday has been doing all kinds of interesting solo stuff, as have Daisy, Millie and Pia. Now, however, a bit like The Avengers, they are ready to re-join forces and return with their brand new single, Snakes and Ladders.

We're told that the single is taken from a to-be-released EP. The idea that there is even more Bridezilla goodness to follow has got us a little weak at the knees. For now though, you'll have to make do with just the one track. Listen to it below, courtesy of our mates over at Mess and Noise.

Words and photo by Bobby Townsend.

Bobbysix.com's End of Year Review 2011 - Our showbiz mates

We managed to round up a few of our friends from the world of entertainment and ask them to contribute to our End of Year Poll. Here's what they offered us.

Jim Bob
Jim Bob (above) has had a busy 2011, finishing his new book, doing stuff at the Edinburgh Festival and playing sold-out shows with his band, Carter USM. Here’s what he listened to/watched when he had some down time.

Top 5 albums
1. Good News - WITHERED HAND
2. Own Side Now - CAITLIN ROSE
3. A Creature I Don't Know - LAURA MARLING
4. The Life Equation - AKIRA THE DON
5. Distraction Pieces - SCROOBIUS PIP

Top 5 films
1. Submarine
2. Attack the Block
3. Animal Kingdom
4. True Grit
5. Another Year 
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Amber Anderson
You may have first seen super-talented actress/model/musician and all-round lovely human-being Amber in the Match.com ads. Since then, she has worked on a number of movies, campaigns and editorials and we predict HUGE things for her in 2012. For now, check out her top albums and films from this year.
 
Top 5 albums (in no particular order) 
Ceremonials - FLORENCE + THE MACHINE 
21 - ADELE 
Suck It and See - ARCTIC MONKEYS 
+ - ED SHEERAN 
The English Riviera - METRONOMY 

Top 5 films (in no particular order) 
The Help 
We Need To Talk About Kevin
The Inbetweeners Movie 
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy 
My Week With Marilyn
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Cameras' Fraser Harvey 
Fraser (left in picture) is one-third of Sydney band, Cameras. Here, he tells us a little about the records he has been playing as his band has toured Australia and The States.

Top 5 albums 
1. Blood Pressures – THE KILLS
I instantly loved every song on this record, but I kept liking it for different reasons every time I put it on. Plus, who doesn’t want Alison Mosshart to have her way with them and then sing you The Last Goodbye.
2. The Child EP – THE CHILD
We played a show with these guys in LA, they’re also on Manimal and right from the first song I was enamoured. The ditties sound simple, but underneath there are actually a lot of complexities that will pass you by if you’re not careful. Their drummer Norm recorded and mixed this. Bitchin’.
3. The King Of Limbs – RADIOHEAD
This was so much to swallow when I first heard it. They seem to make every single idea work, all at once – and this album leaves you discovering subtleties well into your 10th listen and beyond. Very few bands achieve this.
4. Let England Shake - PJ HARVEY
C’mon, it’s the Peej so of course it’s going to be good – but this was a particular slice of form. Plus I’m a sucker for some Autoharp.
5. Grinderman 2 – GRINDERMAN  
I know this came out in late 2010, but I only got onto this in 2011, so it’s going on my list. I can’t begin to tell you how much I enjoy crude lyrics, and there are few better than Mr. Cave in this department. Fuck off Boy & Bear’s record was better than this.
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Clytem Scanning
Our favourite Parisian purveyor of beat-driven electro-pop melodies filled with dark ambiances sent us her top five albums and her top four films. “I couldn't find any 5th film cause I am pretty difficult with recent movies,” she told us.

Top 5 albums;
1. work (work, work) - HTRK
2. W - PLANNINGTOROCK
3. Absence - SNOWMAN
4. Faults - SEEFEEL
5. Wounded Galaxies Tap at the Window - CYCLOBE

Top 4 films
1.We Need To Talk About Kevin
2.The Murderer
3.Triangle
4.Meek's Cutoff 
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Sienna Guillory
As well as filming the new Resident Evil movie and trying to get Stone Roses tickets (she did), Sienna has also become a Mum to twins this year. So she hasn’t had much time to watch new movies or to discover new albums. Here's the five artists she has been most listening to in 2011. 

1. Neutral Milk Hotel 
2. Caveman 
3. Beirut
4. Waters 
5. The XX
 __________________________________________________________________________________ 
 
Chicks Who Love Guns' Cass Navarro
Cass (front left in picture) is the frontman for awesome band Chicks Who Love Guns, who have been wowing crowds in Sydney with their high-energy punk amazingness. We reckon that 2012 is going to be a good year for them. Here are Cass' choices for records and moves of the year.


Top 5 Albums (in no particular order)
New Start Again - DICK DIVER
Exmilitary - DEATH GRIPS
Royal Headache - ROYAL HEADACHE
Ugly Animals - RETOX
Smoke Ring For My Halo - KURT VILE

Top 5 Films (in no particular order)
Autoluminescent
Submarine
Drive
The Inbetweeners Movie
Hanna
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Holiday Sidewinder
The Bridezilla frontwoman, solo-artist and long-term friend of Bobbysix.com didn’t have much to offer in terms of her top five lists. However, we very much approve of the one name she gave: “I actually haven’t done much watching or listening of new stuff, so aside from Twerps, I dunno.”
 _________________________________________________________________________________

Larry Heath 

Larry (pictured with Bobby) is the brains (and hours and hours and hours of hard work) behind brilliant website, The AU Review. 

Top 5 albums
1. Gloss Drop - BATTLES
2. Prisoner - THE JEZABELS
3. Simple Math - MANCHESTER ORCHESTRA
4. Don't Say We Didn't Warn You - DOES IT OFFEND YOU, YEAH?
5. Wasting Light - FOO FIGHTERS
 
Top 5 films 
1. Drive
2. Midnight in Paris
3. Harry Potter 7.2
4. Tucker and Dale vs Evil
5. Super 8
 _________________________________________________________________________________

Colin Delaney
Colin is a music, arts, film and travel writer based in Sydney. He is also a fine fellow indeed.

1. BURNING MAN
Jonathan Teplitzky’s latest is inspired by his own experiences of love, loss and the downward spiral it can send a man on. Brit Matthew Goode plays chef Tom who struggles to juggle the various women in his life as it turns inside out from grief. It turns inside out for us too. Between Teplitzky and editor Martin Connor the non-linear storytelling proper fucks with you. The film is as brilliant as it is difficult to discuss without giving away some major plot points. Just go see it and sob like a baby. 
2. BRIDESMAIDS
The girls out-bromanced the bros. If you didn’t like this film I hope you get diarrhoea in your wedding dress.
3. DRIVE
Speaking of bromance… if you’re a guy and you don’t get the whole Ryan Gosling thing yet, watch Nicolas Winding Refn’s Drive. A merciless prick on a revenge drive through Los Angeles, Gosling remains pretty under pressure, all to a cool yet soulless score by Cliff Martinez and College’s “A Real Hero.” 
4. CAUGHT INSIDE
There may have been a better thriller made this year but this little Australian film, which was like Bra Boys meets Dead Calm as a chartered surf trip turns bad, scores points for the following reasons… 
A) The film could have easily been another schlock teen horror but first time feature director Adam Blaiklock handled his script competently to find the right balance. 
B) Made for just about nothing and filmed on location with a tight cast and crew of less than twenty, it’s an example of putting all your budget on screen. It should be seen by all aspiring filmmakers as fodder of what can be done on a limited budget. 
C) Bon Oxenbould gives what will hopefully be for him a career-turning performance, ala Eric Bana in Chopper, to steer him away from his Nudge (yes, as in Hey Dad!) character. 
D) Unlike every surf-based drama that came before it, Caught Inside doesn’t fall into a cliché trappings of the surf lifestyle. With Blaiklock a surfer, it was something he was all too aware of, both in story and filming techniques… as in, every actor had to be able to surf. 
5. CATFISH
Another film that’s hard to talk about… This documentary about Facebook was certainly more affecting than The Social Network. Scary, sad, funny, we all know someone who thought to quit Facebook over a stalker. It took a lot of balls from the filmmakers to follow through with what they did. I’d have probably just quit Facers and reactivated my Bebo account.

Colin gives notable mentions to: Red State, Snowtown, Midnight in Paris, Hanna and The Tunnel.
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We'd like to thank our industry pals for taking time out of their schedules to tell us what has been floating their boat this year. And thanks to you for voting as well. Be sure to check back in to Bobbysix.com tomorrow for the grand results of our epic End of Year Review. We'll be revealing the overall best album, best song, best gig and best film of 2011. 


Interviews by Bobby Townsend

2010 End Of Year Review - Top 10 Gigs

Kicking off four days' worth of posts relating to BobbySix.com's End Of Year Review is the Top 10 live gigs of 2010. Still to come over the next few days, top albums, top movies and top songs:

1. REGINA SPEKTOR, Sydney Opera House 
"Heartbreaking tender ballad Samson remains one of the best songs of the last ten years and commanded hushed awe from the audience but, on this occasion, the highlight was Apres Moi. For someone so softly spoken, Spektor has a massive vocal range and when she ended the song by belting out couplets in Russian, it was jaw-dropping.

Though, on record, her edges seem to have smoothed a little, live, she was as weird and leftfield as ever, using her vocal as an instrument and singing ditties about how “Someone next door’s fucking to one of my songs.”  In taking the step to this next level, Regina Spektor proved that it is possible to make intelligent, beautiful music that is accessible while still remaining daring and oddball." (Full review...)

2. JEFFREY LEWIS & THE JUNKYARD, Oxford Art Factory,Sydney 
"There were punky rock outs and gentler - really wordy - acoustic numbers that showcased his writing talents, as themes of self-doubt, lost love and depression were treated with sincerity and humour. He told fantastical stories about various ways he could commit suicide... while suggesting that Pitchfork would only give his death 3.6 out of 10." (full review...)

3. LAURA MARLING, The Famous Spiegeltent, Sydney
"The use of cello, keys, drums, mandolin, guitar, bass and banjo offered a round sound, yet the set really dazzled when Marling stood alone with just her voice and acoustic guitar... This was a truly enchanting evening from one of the finest young talents around." (full review...)

4. DANIEL JOHNSTON, Monster Children Gallery, Sydney
"Life doesn't often make sense. Plug A rarely fits nicely into Slot B. People conflict and contrast, friction prevails. Sometimes though, very, very occasionally, everything comes together. And, as I stood on the steps, looking over Johnston's shoulder onto a crowd that were hanging on his every word. It was clear that these were my people, and this was my soundtrack. If only life were always like this." (full review...)

5. THE CRIBS, Manning Bar, Sydney
"Even four albums in, The Cribs' raw energy and vivacity hasn't abated, and to combine that with tunes to die for is to be in the presence of one of the most thrilling live bands around." (full review...)

6. KLAXONS, Enmore Theatre, Sydney

"The hour-long set flew by, and, as they wrapped things up with It’s Not Over Yet, Surfing The Void and Atlantis To Interzone, the band seemed genuinely taken aback by the fervent reception they received. “I’m not joking,” said keyboardist/vocalist, James Righton (above) with a look of bewilderment. “You’re the fucking best audience ever.” True, the crowd were going absolutely mental from start to finish, but that’s largely to do with the fact that the Brits practically ripped the roof off from the get-go." (full review...)

7. ANGUS & JULIA STONE, Metro Theatre
"What better way to celebrate your record going gold, than by playing three sold-out shows over two days in your home city? Following Friday night's gig, the siblings played a matinee performance to an under-age audience on Saturday afternoon. Cue a Beatlemania-esque frenzy from the crowd as fourteen-year-old girls took time out from screaming every word of every song to yell requests for impregnation from Angus. If it was all a bit much for the shy, unassuming Mr Stone, then the evening was happily a more chilled-out affair." (full review...)

8. PARADES, Enmore Theatre, Sydney 
"Sydney’s Parades looked like a bunch of high-school misfits who had been rounded up from the loneliest corners of the playground and ushered onto the stage against their will, but, behind their Breakfast Club aesthetic was an awesome, layered soundscape so huge that it’s hard to believe any venue smaller than The Enmore could cope with such epic noise. As is their wont, the quartet bolstered their numbers for their live show and with five boys and one girl offering four vocals and all manner of percussion and effects, their set was diverse and their songs experimental and enormous. This is a band with a really exciting future." (full review...)

9. CABINS AND BRIDEZILLA, Changing Lanes Festival, Sydney

"Cabins' performance drilled its way relentlessly through the audience's bodies. Their bone-shaking set - which included a cheeky cover of Edwin Collins' A Girl Like You - was loud with a capital L.O.U.D. and their catchy indie with alternating vocalists was the highlight of the day...

...Bridezilla (above)  performed a handful of promising new songs in their 30-minute set, the last of which really showed the band's desire to push themselves in new directions. This set-closer, Hey Girl, saw Millie Hall put down the saxophone and take centre stage, playing keys and sharing lead vocals with Holiday Sidewinder. Written by Hall, the poppy number was infectious enough to suggest it will soon be quite the crowd-pleaser, with Hall, Sidewinder and guitarist Pia May delivering some 60s girl-group singalong harmonies." (full review of festival...)

10. FLORENCE & THE MACHINE, Laneway Festival, Sydney
"Florence Welch ripped through the headline slot with gusto. By the time she ended with a winning trio of Dog Days Are Over, You've Got The Love and Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up) - all of which showcased that lung-busting voice - she had the crowd going apeshit (full review of festival...)

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

Ineligible, to be honest (largely because representatives of BobbySix.com made up part of the performance), but still worthy of a shout is David Ford's Milk and Cookies gig in December. Also due a mention are Kate Nash and Lily Allen's performances in Sydney.

Sydney-based artists that are well worth a look the next time they are playing in your neighbourhood are The Laurels, who - with their shoegazey post-grunge wall of noise - are Australia's most underrated band. Elsewhere, The Preachers put in an outstanding performance at Oxford Art Factory - they are fast becoming one of BobbySix.com's favourite bands. Similarly, Cameras played a stunning show at the same venue. Meanwhile, Melbourne's Howl at the Moon played a winning set at King's Cross' World Bar.

One of the most unique and exciting artists in Sydney remains Kirin J Callinan . His boundary-pushing afternoon show at a warehouse in the iconic Hibernian House (above, photo courtesy of Emma Daniels) was the perfect example of how he brings something genuinely different and interesting to the table. Yeah, so it actually took place at the back end of 2009, but we didn't get a chance to mention in last year's review and, anyway, who's counting?

There are probably loads of other really awesome shows that we have overlooked, or that have been lost in a drunken blur, but these are the ones that have jumped to mind. Have we forgotten anything? let us know...

Cloud Control ready to rock the Jagermeister Independent Music Awards

Tomorrow brings with it the fifth Jagermeister Independent Music Awards. At the ceremony to be held at The Forum in Melbourne, all eyes are sure to be on Cloud Control, who have scooped an impressive three nominations (Best Independent Artist, Breakthrough Independent Artist and Best Independent Album).

As well as hoping to pick up an award or three, Cloud Control will also be performing live at the event, as will British India, Sally Seltman, M-Phazes and The Amity Affliction.

Presented by the Australian Independent Record Label Association (AIR), the awards are about recognising something unique and acknowledging the universal truth that artistic accomplishment does not have to go hand-in-hand with commercial success. As we all know, to find truly interesting and groundbreakingly creative, you need to tune your radio to something other than the top 40.

There are still a handful of tickets available for tomorrow night's shindig, priced at a bargain $29 + booking fee. Be sure to grab one now. You can do so through Ticketmaster.

Changing Lanes Festival - more photos

Sunday's first ever Changing Lanes Festival was quite the success. Following Tuesday's review of the big day here at BobbySix.com, here are a bunch more photos, courtesy of Emma Daniels and Rob Townsend.

Changing Lanes Festival

After much wrangling with the local council, Sunday saw the inaugural Changing Lanes Festival in Sydney's Newtown. With cheap-as-chips tickets selling out in a heartbeat, the event's debut was hotly anticipated and, joyfully, it lived up to expectations, with a fine mix of music and art throughout the day.

Spread over one lane and The Bank Hotel, punters had the choice of three stages for their musical pleasures while, twixt the two venues, they were able to quench their thirst and hunger and browse at market stalls. Nicely laid-back with an audience of chilled music lovers, the vibe was similar to the early days of the St Jerome's Laneway Festival.

Kicking things off was a solo set from Richard (In Your Mind) Cartwright (above). The first time I saw RIYM, I really didn't get it. However, alone with an acoustic guitar, Cartwright makes much more sense. His strange warble sounded delightfully fragile in a Daniel Johnston/Conor Oberst kinda way and his short, sweet set was a great way to start the day.

Earnest Ellis might have a strong voice and big, epic songs, but, not for the first time, they soared right over my head. Conversely, Cabins' performance (above) didn't so much sail over the audience as drill its way relentlessly through their bodies. Their bone-shaking set - which included a cheeky cover of Edwin Collins' A Girl Like You - was loud with a capital L.O.U.D. and their catchy indie with alternating vocalists was the highlight of the day.

But for a couple of exceptions, I've always found Aussie hip-hop to be a fairly embarrassing caricature of its Stateside big brother, and Thundermentals' cliched set did nothing to change my mind. Anyone with decent taste should have instead headed to the Hip Hop Stage where Count Doyle and Captain Franco were not playing anything that resembled hip-hop, but rather mixing some delicious sounds from yesteryear.

Back on the main stage, Bridezilla (above) looked resplendent in red as they performed a handful of promising new songs in their 30-minute set, the last of which really showed the band's desire to push themselves in new directions. This set-closer saw Millie Hall put down the saxophone and take centre stage, playing keys and sharing lead vocals with Holiday Sidewinder. Written by Hall, the poppy number was infectious enough to suggest it will soon be quite the crowd-pleaser, with Hall, Sidewinder and guitarist Pia May delivering some 60s girl-group singalong harmonies.

By the time headliners Tame Impala took to the stage, many of the crowd had found vantage points by climbing walls and hanging off fences and went suitably nuts to the Perth band's psych-groove sound, before the party shifted to The Bank Hotel, where Jingle Jangle DJs were getting things going with some old school rock 'n' roll. As the evening went on, the likes of Levins and HOOPS kept revellers entertained.

Such was the success of this first festival that, next year, you can expect more artists, more markets and more bands. However, there is no doubt that, while this festival is set to grow and grow, it will do so organically rather than chasing the dollar. Anyone who attended on Sunday left with the feeling that this was the start of something really rather wonderful.

Photos courtesy of Emma Daniels. Check back at BobbySix.com later in the week for more photos from Changing Lanes.

Jagermeister Independent Music Awards nominations announced

Nominations for the fifth annual Jagermeister Independent Music Awards - which used to be known as the Jagermeister AIR Awards - were officially announced this week, and they include a stellar array of the Australia's brightest emerging talent.

Leading the pack with three Nominations each are Sia, Dan Sultan and Cloud Control. Also receiving a nomination for the coveted Best Independent Album is the late Australian music legend Rowland S Howard.

Little Red, British India and Eddie Current Suppression Ring also received nominations and, having been championed by BobbySix.com from the word go, Bridezilla (pictured above) and The Temper Trap are up for awards too.

Changing Lanes line-up announced

Changing Lanes, the exciting new festival taking place in Sydney's Newtown on September 19th has announced that it will be headlined by Tame Impala, Ernest Ellis and Bridezilla. The rest of the rather excellent and diverse bill can be viewed by clicking the image above or by going here.

There will be three stages, as well as food and market stalls, street performers and art. Throughout the day five local and international street artists will paint live on the Eliza Street-facing wall of The Courthouse Hotel, while the markets will serve up a ready supply of vintage clothing, vinyl, books and more.

There will be live music and DJs in The Courthouse and Zanzibar, ranging from dub-step and electro to 50s and 60s rock and blues. It's set to be a great event. Tickets can, and should, be snapped up here, this is definitely not one to miss.

Getting to know... Marf Loth

Sydney-based musician/novelist/poet/reviewer/dishwasher and all round nice chap Marf Loth - Nathan to his friends - shares some things about himself with Bobbysix.com:

I would describe my sound as a mixture of recycled sounds that I subconsciously use and will not be aware of until someone hears it and tells me. Thus - crushing my creative spirits and will to continue. But at times there have been some moments of country, garage, folk, rock and spazz jazz. All the albums have been really inconsistent and jumbled so far. I think I'll stick to something from now on. Which is going to be Paul Kelly/Bats-esque mumbled summer rock with Dennis Wilson arrangements. The likelihood of achieving that sound however, is very unlikely.

I take inspiration from lots of music, books, films - mainly obscure solo artists like Kevin Ayers, Robert Wyatt, John Cale, Brian Eno, Frank Zappa and Alex Chilton. Inspiration mostly comes from my friends (who make music or art) - or food, drinks, and places i have been. I listen to a lot of Australian music these days, its good to remain patriotic about your own culture. Plus it gives you hope that you might be able hold up some kind of career minus all the intimidating international competition.

Music makes me jump up and down like a madman for a little while. Then cry underneath a wooden table with a bottle of wine. Wait, actually, no, it doesn't make me feel like that at all. Music makes me want to make other music. Or maybe not that either. I don't know. Its just there, like a plank of wood.

If I could only listen to three albums for the rest of my life, they would be:
Robert Wyatt - Rock Bottom
Silver Jews - American Water
Big Star - Third/Sisters Lovers

I wish I had written Supper's Ready by Genesis. It's one of their twenty-minute epics. I haven't listened to it for about three years or so - but i still know every lyric.

Aside from music, I sometimes write books, mostly poorly edited short stories and sorry excuses for poetry. I've self published three so far, and the novel A Study Of Solitude should be out in the next few months - hopefully. Other than that, I work odd jobs around Sydney, mostly as a dishwasher. Sometimes write reviews for music publications so i can get into concerts for free.

Check out Marf Loth on his myspace page. While you're there, you should also wrap your ears around his rather marvellous recordings. Contact details for how to purchase his CDs are there too.

Bridezilla at The Beach Road Hotel, Bondi

As you probably know, I've been raving about Syndey five-piece Bridezilla since they first burst onto the scene as a bunch of insanely talented schoolkids four years ago. Excitingly, in a couple of weeks they are heading to the UK for a few dates, including a turn at The Great Escape in Brighton.

As a send off, they played a free show in Bondi. Here are a couple of pictures. UK tour dates at the bottom.



14th May - 2.30pm - The Hope,Brighton (Artrocker Party)
15th May - 2.40pm - Digital, Brighton
15th May - 8.00pm - The Basement, Brighton (with Born Ruffians)
16th May - 6.15pm - Cargo, London (Aussie BBQ)
18th May - 7.00pm - Rough Trade East, London (free instore)
19th May - 9.15pm - Brixton Windmill, London (with Mother Mother)
20th May - tbc.pm - Hannah's Bar, Liverpool
22nd May - tbc.pm - Stag and Dagger Festival, Glasgow
23rd May - tbc.pm - Stereo, Glasgow (with Bis)

The Cribs at Manning Bar, Sydney

THE CRIBS
BRIDEZILLA
Manning Bar, 19/02/10

Considering Bridezilla have been winning fans around the city over the past four years, it's somewhat surprising that this was their debut performance at Manning Bar. Less surprising was that their atmosphere-drenched show was enthralling. Most notable was frontwoman Holiday Carmen-Sparks' increasingly impressive vocal range. Balancing out their intense sound with plenty of smiles throughout, the Sydney quintet are clearly enjoying themselves at the moment, and well they might, as they remain one of the most captivating acts in Australia today.

The Cribs' dynamic has always been appealing; three brothers across drums, bass and guitar, with duelling lead vocals. So adding another guitarist would seem crazy, except when he happens to be a certain Johnny Marr. Regardless, it was going to be interesting to see whether it would be the same visceral, raucous Cribs experience.

Bursting into We Were Aborted, guitarist Ryan Jarman stooped over his mic, stomped his feet and spat lyrics as loud as he could in his strong Wakefield accent as veins popped out of his neck. With that, it was instantly clear that, while the addition of a member of indie royalty added to their depth of sound, it took nothing away from the Jarman brothers' insane live energy. The crowd, who had waited four years to see them, went nuts as Hey Scenesters and Cheat On Me provoked early singalongs. Indeed, there were few songs that weren't singalongs, as this set featured more infectious choruses than your average pop act could come up with in a lifetime, all delivered with shouty punk rock sensibilities. Every “whoa-oh” was hollered back at the band with increasing gusto, and, as Ryan questioned where all the crowd-surfers were, waves of bodies began to flow towards the stage.

The epic Be Safe offered an alternative to the punchy songs that surrounded it, featuring a video of Sonic Youth's Lee Ranaldo's spoken word prose as the band belted out another massive chorus, “I know a place we can go where you'll fall in love so hard that you'll wish you were dead.”

Ending with Men's Needs, City of Bugs and a spot of stage-diving, the quartet left the sweat-drenched crowd breathless. Even four albums in, The Cribs' raw energy and vivacity hasn't abated, and to combine that with tunes to die for is to be in the presence of one of the most thrilling live bands around.