OCEAN ALLEY

+ RACKETT + SUN

@ The Metro

26/08/17 (Live Review)

The Factory Theatre was buzzing on Saturday night with Sydney’s face melting, psychedelic rock sensation Ocean Alley. The six-piece gave fans a raging and energetic performance, sending the all ages crowd into chaos. This year has proved to be a sucessful year for Ocean Alley, supporting The Cat Empire and Tash Sultana across Australia, as well releasing two incredible singles Overgrown and The Comedown.

Those who showed up to the Factory theatre early enjoyed the talented supporting acts of SUN and RACKETT, both up and coming Australian talents. SUN got the crowd swaying with their slippery psychedelic groves, while RACKETT created total chaos with their fiery punk pop songs. Lead singer Bec Callandar put on a show, stomping around the stage, kissing audience members and sending the mosh pit into a frenzy. The all-girl powerhouse kicked ass! It was incredible and empowering to watch, a perfect warm up for the highly anticipated main act.

As the lights lowered and the fog machine spewed mist around the stage, the crowd begged for Ocean Alley, roaring in anticipation. The band kicked off with Overgrown and the audience immediately descended into madness. The upbeat, rhythmic guitar riffs paired with the shifting time signatures was hypnotising. Each band member was so wrapped up in the music and the moment; it was inspiring to witness their passion for performance.

The mellow vibe of Muddy Water and Hold On had the audience in a daze, with couples clinging on to one another and swaying to the slow rhythmic tunes. However, it wasn’t long before Ocean Alley fired up the mosh again with their bright, bouncing riffs in Holiday. Lead singer Baden Donegal could barely be heard over the crowd, who gleefully yelled “Oh, carry me home/ ‘Cause I’m on holiday”.

Yellow Mellow and Space Goat were crowd favourites, with fans reciting every lyric and jumping in joy. Beach Balls and confetti balloons rained down on the audience, who kicked them back and fourth between band members. Before playing the final two songs, Baden Donegal did a shoey sending the crowd into total meltdown. Finally, Ocean Alley finished off with Partner in Crime and Lemonworld, a spectacular end to a truly incredible show.

Ocean Alley are continuing their tour up the Coast with sold out shows in Brisbane, Byron Bay and Perth, as well as playing a music and arts festival alongside Illy, Skeggs and The Orwells.