A cloudy day embraces Sydney, but at Liberty Hall it's warm and lively as The Temper Trap bring their Sydney leg of the tour to town.
RAGEFLOWER kicks off the night (26 October) in '70s film-star glasses and short shorts. "I just want your hands on my body," she sings over a perfect pop progression, the band swinging back and forth in time.
"Can I come over?" she asks, desperate grit pervading each note. She engages the crowd with lyrics that feel stolen from her diary: "Let me down, I'll be fine." The song builds aggressively as the crowd starts to pack out under red lights.
"We're gunna get a little emotional," she announces for 'Somebody New', as if we haven't been swirling in her feelings since the start. "I don't know if I still believe in love anymore," she yearns, pulling you into a feeling you know well.
'Desk Job' is a certified banger, as RAGEFLOWER screams into the microphone, drops to the floor and then storms offstage. It's a memorable way to end.
The Temper Trap enter to rapturous applause, the drums hitting in time with flashing lights, building tension before kicking into 'Love Lost', as the crowd erupts. Static visuals play over the screen as the crowd clap out the end of the song. Frontman Dougy Mandagi's vocals have your hair on end already, it's something special.
'Fader' is as close to a perfect song as you can get, and it's clear the band want to launch into the night hard. "It's so good to be alive," Mandagi sings and it is indeed. He taps on the drum pad, as camera roll visuals play on the screen, while bassist Jonathon Aherne slides up and down his strings.
'Lucky Dimes' showcases a heavier rock edge, the bass rattling through your head, before 'Trembling Hands' hits deep in the feels, the crowd belting with all their lungs. Mandagi drops his head at the song's end.
'Rabbit Hole' features premier tambourine from Aherne, before the band cover Moby's 'Extreme Ways'. 'These Arms' follows, a new song on the roster. Washed out guitar follows lush strings, as a bouncy beat keeps the crowd moving, pink lights splashing over their faces. Guitarist Joseph Greer makes good use of his wah pedal during the song's climax.
Drummer Toby Dundas taps on his rim for 'Resurrection' as orange lights race behind him, before the stage floods blinding white. 'Into The Wild' is another new offering, pulsating heavily under green lights.
'Science Of Fear' simmers as Greer and Aherne join one another at the back of the stage. 'Drum Song' draws a cheer as Mandagi heads to a tom and drumpad at the back of the stage. Blue and green floods into the crowd as psychedelic visuals play. It's definitely a moment in time.
The band return for the encore with 'Soldier On', sentimental and warped, but it's time for the song everyone has waited for. 'Sweet Disposition''s arpeggiated guitar hits as hard as the crowd screams loud, and if the atmosphere of a massive festival could be distilled into a bottle, that's what happened here tonight.
