A real no-nonsense lineup is kicking off this Sunday at Oxford Art Factory, and our money’s on the supports being worth the ticket price alone.
Headlining the show is GUM, an act that to most of us needs no introduction past being Jay Watson’s solo act (POND, Tame Impala). Be prepared for some real trademark synth-grooves from this lot, with tight beats abounding the fervor of a huge 2016 that included shows abroad in the UK and USA – slip the dancing shoes on or don’t even bother showing up.
A couple of acts you might not have cast your eyes and ears on before are MOSSY, BLAAND and Betty & Oswald, who will be supporting on the night.
MOSSY, in style, comes closest to GUM’s psychy electronic broken-up beats, and if you have not heard the new single Dumb Terror, you are in for a treat. A recent release, the track combines the finer features of current electronic alt-rock, with masterful vocal layering and driving synthbass, broken up between the odd jarring cut – perhaps tipping the hat to a vaporwave-esque distortion that really evokes that digital Miami serenity. This one will be walking on glass for sure, and should be sublime to spot on the stage.
Betty & Oswald have been making waves with a late 2016 single Stuck in the City, premiered through Pilerats, and spent 2016 popping up and down the east coast in support of their releases. Indie rock with a particularly Sydney flavour (dripping in it in their latest film clip featured below), the retro slant on familiar territory will be pretty welcoming to new listeners, so don’t be shy!
BLAAND have got a couple of tracks up on SoundCloud at the moment that really capture their self proclaimed ‘BBQ-Rock’ stylings; stripped back in the sonics, with a focus on something honest & dolewave-y, with a healthy amount of jangle in the chords – fans of TWERPS and Dick Diver vibes will be nodding their heads as soon as hearing a beat
It’s a big call but we low key reckon this is the best gig of 2017 yet, and will cost you Saturday’s spare change at the door ($25 therabouts). Of course, go to see GUM, but if there were ever a time to support your local, its Sunday April 2nd .