Review: The Panics, Georgia Fair, Avalanche City

“Panics at the Hi-Fi!” shouted my friend with glee as we wandered down the streets of west-end to join the queue of excited fans. Being also from Perth she was feeling a little proud of the WA band touring with the release of their fourth album Rain On The Humming Wire. 

Avalanche City is the promising folk creation of Dave Baxter from Auckland, New Zealand. Beefed up with a live band Dave was a great start to the night, playing songs from his debut album Our New Life Above the Ground. Single ‘Love Love Love’ was a big hit with the crowd with its pretty tune and catchy lyrics that lift your spirits. Dave’s voice is raw yet warm and the keyboard and lead electric lend a mystical tone. It was great to see a banjo come out to play in ‘Go’ but my favourite was ‘The Streets’ with its marching beat and the intense longing it conveys. Dave’s delight in his music shows throughout the set, the band are a pleasure to watch.

Aussie duo Georgia Fair were also a treat with their sweet and laid back take on folk filled with summer, love and good times nostalgic. Additions Mick on drums and Alicia on keys helped thicken the sound, the heavy piano dallying with the guitar as Jordans yearning voice sings ‘Gloria’. ‘Remember Me’ has a steady yet catchy melody performed with a bounce in the bands step that spreads. Some playful moments between Jordan and Ben brings an intimacy to the set as they seem to be having a private conversation on their guitars, speaking in riffs and melodies. ‘Picture Frames’ was the crowd favourite, everyone attempts to sing along as the cruisy feel the song creates rolls over us. Look out for their debut album in stores 21st of October.

The Panics’ time to shine and the crowd was packed for a good night of rock. As promised, it was a wander through all of the Panics albums and some EP’s, after the band held a website poll on what the fans wanted to hear. How thoughtful! A myriad of tasty guitar melodies and Jae Laffers smooth softly rasping voice, you can’t ignore the allure of The Panics.

An impressively tight unit the band show off as they easily flow though a range of up beat to personal contemplative songs all technically tricky and beautifully constructed. The guitarists in the band consistently produce strong lingering riffs and melodies, particularly in ‘Ruins’ and ‘My Best Mistake’ and I was thoroughly entertained watching guitarist Drew Wootton lose himself in the music, moving to every beat. The crowd lovingly went wherever Jae led, matching him word for word on all the favourites like ‘Cruel Guards’ and ‘Don’t Fight It.

Everyone erupted when Robert Forster from The Go-Betweens walked on stage to sing with the band their favourite song ‘Finding You’. A precious moment to say the least. Finally finishing the night with ‘In Your Head’, starting as a friendly solo from Jae, it’s gentle motion and touching lyrics silenced the contented crowd.