Warmed up by support acts Dulcie and Hockey Dad, ticket holders at Ocean Alley's first of two shows at The Riverstage (9 February), sang along with great gusto to Spacey Jane's 'Booster Seat' as it played over the PA.
The ensuing enthusiastic roar as the house lights dimmed, heralding Ocean's Alley’s arrival on stage, therefore came as no surprise.Taking to the stage to the intro of Dire Straits' 'Money For Nothing', the psychedelic-surf-rock band from Sydney's Northern Beaches kicked off their set with 'Tombstone' from their third album 'Lonely Diamond', and a seamless night of crisp, soulful sounds began.
Fresh from kicking off their much-delayed national tour at Cairns Summer Sounds, frontman Baden Donegal and the all blonde five-piece band made up for lost time, delivering a set that left you in no doubt as to why they're one of Australia's favourite live acts.
Image © Clea-marie-Thorne
Blending reggae, rock and cruisy psych, the band coasted effortlessly through their set list, with clear crowd-pleasers of the night being the infectious 'Yellow Mellow', 'Rage' (which had the crowd clapping in unison), and 'All Worn Out' that was accompanied by a sea of phone flashlights swaying in the clear, night sky.
With Baden a man of few words between songs apart from thanking fans for their support, the set was largely uninterrupted, with the exception of him happily obliging the crowd's 'shoey' chants, removing his footwear to chug back a drink before nonchalantly putting it back on and continuing with the show.
2018 triple j Hottest 100 winners with their track 'Confidence' and regular place getters, the band's set wouldn't have been complete without their popular Like A Version medley of Pink Floyd classics 'Breathe/ Comfortably Numb/ Money' and their cover of Player's 1970s hit 'Baby Come Back', both received with heady enthusiasm by the crowd.
Image © Clea-marie-Thorne
Closing the encore with 'Knees' from their second album 'Chiaroscuro', Ocean Alley masterfully handpicked tracks from their already impressive back catalogue to produce a night of feel-good vibes to remember, and a promise of so much more to come.
Ocean Alley return to The Riverstage tonight (10 February) for a second Brisbane show.
