Melbourne's Northcote Theatre played host to local legends Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever earlier this week, fresh off the release of their first single in four years.
'Sunburned In London' is about the band's relationship with different countries, and the emotions that are evoked from them. With a break from the release of new music, yet still performing consistently, Rolling Blackouts Coastal (RBCF) have had time to get introspective about touring and all it entails.
Early attendees (17 February) were greeted by the ambient grooves of DJ Kgomotso, performing on the second level. This gave a relaxed vibe to the preliminary act of the event, as if walking into a jazz bar.
Kgomotso closed his set with a high-energy track that served as entrance music for the main act. The jubilant crowd filled the top seats and slowly spilled out towards the centre stage in anticipation.
RBCF rolled through a set list filled with tracks spread across their entire discography, pleasing everyone from the casual fan to the diehards pressed against the barrier.
Hits such as 'Talking Straight', 'Cars In Space' and 'French Press' were played with trademark vigour and drawn-out instrumental sections to end each song.
The boys kept conversation to a minimum, prioritising the music to get the most out of their allocated time. If RCBF is known for one thing, it's letting their instruments do the talking.
RBCF recreated the setup seen in the live version of 'Sunburned In London' with the in the round format, allowing fans to watch from the stage as the ensemble played below, backed by fan favourite Stella Donnelly on vocals and keys, with emerging talents Sophie Ozard and Julia Wallace rounding out the extended section.
A truly packed line-up, the added ensemble added layers of sound that echoed throughout the theatre. The setup of the stage also allowed bassist Joe Russo to face the crowd behind the band throughout each song, showing the awareness and professionalism of a seasoned touring artist.
After leaving the stage to raucous applause, fans lingered in hopes of an encore. The band came back out to perform an impromptu version of 2015's 'Clean Slate', much to the delight of the day-one fans. The all-star cast rocked Northcote Theatre and gave punters plenty of bang for their buck ($10 tickets to this show).
