To say I was skeptical prior to entering Oxford Arts Factory on a lack-lustre Friday night would be severly underplaying it. Armed with a heavy head of misconceptions I lined up outside in the rain and abandoned all expectations. Having spent the best nights of my youth ‘Throwing Shapes’ in a paralytic sweat to The Klaxxons – I found it hard to believe that any band could, as NME believed, fill the gaping void the Klaxxons left. In my mind this seemed like a monumental statement, which verged on blasphemy.
Breaking the silence and luring the masses from the bar were the Triple J Unearthed Winners, Dirty Little Rebels who stormed the stage appeasing us with their nothing but rock ‘n’ roll attitude. The crowed thickened for the New Zealand newcomer Zowie whom seemed all too familiar; but maybe that was because she looked like Katy Perry and sounded like she fronts The Yeah Yeah Yeahs.
I cant recall at what point I decided that moving to the bar or down to the “party pit” was no longer an option, I just remember being at the back of the venue sandwiched between people so tightly that even I couldn’t tell where I ended or the person next to me began which was rather disconcerting with the couple on my right. Thankfully it wasn’t long before the sound of the synth broke the atmosphere. Opening with ‘Eskimo Boy’ Strange Talk geared up for an intensely energetic set, which they played fervently barely taking a breath between songs. By the time their breakout hit ‘Climbing The Walls’ sounded I scanned the crowed below and was pleasantly surprised to see the writhing mass of sweaty bodies let loose as limbs flew in all directions. It made me regret not going home to deck myself out in my American Apparel best. Overall it was an amazing show and their ability to not just alter but turn my opinions one-eighty in one set is a testament to their talent and ability. Like a successful Sunday mass I left a convert.
