With a four act lineup scheduled of eclectic band genres set to kick off the release of Outside the Academy’s second EP, I was prepared for an interesting night at the Empire Hotel. Speaking to Pawel Chowela, lead songwriter of Outside the Academy before the first act began, he informed of how he had spent the day driving back from Nimbin, having played a warm-up gig the night prior. I wondered to myself if his exhaustion would manifest in a lack of energy through his set. I was wrong to worry.

Opening the night, four piece Space Hørse surprised with each track they played. Beginning with an acoustic guitar led sea-shanty before finding their groove later amidst fuzzy blues rock and funky disco infused tunes. Next up were Papperbok, a five piece playing with a very different sonic palette. Immediately standing out are their use of vocal harmonies and tasty guitar riffs in a neat alternative rock package, with some of their tunes sounding like a less depressed early Radiohead.

Before Outside the Academy took the stage (currently a live two-piece for this tour), a tense excitement filled the venue, with some well-timed mood lighting projecting upon the band and people shuffling forwards to the front of the room to get a better view. The pair both illicit an air of confidence and an affinity towards the stage. Pawel is dressed sharply but the drummer appears to have styled himself after The Clash, as I learnt later he didn’t get the memo on “smart casual”.

Opening with a cinematic flurry of psychedelic noises that established a dreamy soundscape, the band launch into Jiving, a standout from their first EP, and greatly enhanced by the addition of the virtuosic drumming of Jordan Vasilliou. With a tight rhythm section backing Pawel’s commanding voice and stage presence, the audience is still, quiet and watching intently by the hypnotic experience.

Transitioning into the single off of the new EP, Solutionism, the band showcase a flair for tight danceable grooves, luring people to the front of the stage to dance. Further into the set, a highlight track off the new EP Salient begins, with it’s melodic and recognisable bassline catching interest. Nearing the end of the set, the volume produced by the group becomes fairly intense, causing many audience members to flee further back into the venue with fingers in ears due to the post-rock crescendo the band summons up on Picturing Animation, a very intense and unexpected moment and a perfect example of how a track can transform in the live environment.

Closing the set with the older and pop-heavy Rebels (Revels) is an excellent and mellow comedown from the sonic onslaught of some of the previous tracks. While some musical passages felt a tendency to drag on, partially due to the lack of clarity in the venue’s sound system, and other technical issues sprang up (like Pawel’s mic not being on when singing his first line. D’oh!) overall Outside the Academy provided a very enjoyable live set, performing a nice balancing act between danceability and dreaminess and definitely one worth catching while they are on tour.

Finally, one-man drum and bass band Omegachild played much more dance-oriented electronic music with some very impressive lighting displays, closing a great night of eclectic music.

- Jack Wataman