Live Review: The Grates, Straight Arrows, Pleasure Symbols

Brissie bass/synth duo Pleasure Symbols kicked off the night with a wall of darkwave. With dark, almost droning vocals and a bass line mixed with sampled drums, Phoebe Paradise and Jasmine Dunn echoed serious '80s vibes on stage. Straight Arrows were up next, bringing with them some pretty excellent tunes and a whole heap of raw garage rock energy. “Sarcastic guitar”-playing aside, it was clear that this band of mates didn’t give two shits in the best way possible, and it was an all-round great set. Props especially to Owen Penglis, who is double-dipping every night of the tour, playing for both Straight Arrows and The Grates.

The Grates exploded onto the stage with vampire capes and the inimitable Patience Hodgson rocking the world’s most phenomenal furry orange cape featuring pom poms, sparkly bits and a whole lot of sass. As the band opened with classic 19-20-20, the crowd was completely enthralled and dancing from the start. The Grates have the most phenomenal stamina of any band this scribe has ever seen. Every song felt like it was their opening song, bursting out into the crowd with the most awesome, joyful force (and also with frequent crowd-surfing). Playing songs from their new album, Dream Team, as well as countless old favourites, from Gravity Won’t Get You High, Secret Rituals and Teeth Lost, Hearts Won, these indie rock legends definitely know how to craft a (usually handwritten) set list. This was a show that made both old fans and new pretty damn pleased. With their short bursts of songs, excellent audience chats, and simple, honest and beautiful lyrics, The Grates show no signs of slowing down. The energy that they project and embody is something incredibly special that had everyone belting out their favourite songs and grinning stupidly all night long.