Live Review: The Frowning Clouds, The Madisons, The Kramers

It's Black Bear Lodge's second birthday party tonight and the place is buzzing – the beers are pouring early, balloons deck the ceiling and the good vibes are undeniable.

Local youngsters The Kramers are first to perform and instead of taking the main stage, they opt to play in the venue's back corner. Frontman Ethan Kernaghan demands the audience stand as close to him as possible, which, when paired with the lack of a traditional stage, instils the feeling we're at an intimate house party.

Kernaghan, as always, is erratic and charismatic in his performance – he's often found surging into the crowd mid-song, spasmodically dancing, crooning and wailing, all the while belting out flawless surf-pop guitar stylings. Even his microphone falling out of its stand doesn't hinder his performance; rather, he continues to sing into it as it falls. Included in the set is the group's new single, Ariel, which perfectly demonstrates how firmly settled they are in their surfy, rockabilly, garage style.

As all-girl quintet The Madisons take the stage one needs to reassure themselves they haven't travelled back in time due to the incredibly retro vibe the girls project with their blunt fringes, matching outfits and bold eye makeup. Their sound matches their style, stirring memories of The Shangri-Las and The Ronettes with sweet harmonies and boppy melodies.

The necessity of tambourine players is often debated; however Sara Flexmore's performance tonight would quash any arguments against the instrument; she's dancing around as she plays, which adds a fun energy to the set, while the bold and beautiful vocals of Dana Hock, paired with the serenely sweet harmonies of Chloe Turner, create swooning throughout the crowd. Highlights come in the form of Gutter Romance, Radio and a slowed-down, dreamy cover of The 5.6.7.8's track, I'm Blue.

The Lodge is jampacked as Victorians The Frowning Clouds take the stage, and what's immediately evident is how tight their sound is, no mean feat in a small venue like this. It proves impossible not to surrender yourself to the sounds of the Clouds; their guitars are crisp and fresh, their melodies are infectious and quirky, and their presence as a group is unassuming and humble.

A few new tracks are thrown into the mix, including their latest single, All Night Long, as well as the familiar sounds of Purple Heart, Lovin' You and Do Like Me, all of which are lapped up with delight by the crowd. Tonight's performances have acted as tribute to some of the truly fantastic music Black Bear Lodge has brought to this city over the last two years, which they'll hopefully continue to do for many more years.