1990s

1990s frontman Jackie McKeown once asserted that music is ‘just a bit of fun’, and at their first ever show in Melbourne to launch debut album Cookies, their short, sharp and sweet set lived up to his claim. The Scottish trio’s shorter than average 45 minute set featured a few standout pop rock tracks (their ‘hits’) scattered amongst mediocre pop tunes that don’t quite reach the ilk of their hits. It is an unfortunate observed trend amongst a growing number of young, fashionable and fast rising (UK) bands: less than a handful of irresistibly fun and strong songs and a remaining bunch of fillers. Armed with that thought at the conclusion of the gig, I ceased to be surprised that the band only played for well less than an hour.

The few hundred people present by the end of Young Lovers’ set were treated to this young Melbourne band’s charming, infectious energy. Having seen them previously at a smaller venue, I warmed to the teen ensemble’s colorful and jovial stage presence and believe tonight they won a few more converts while getting the crowd enthused early on for the main act.

Dardanelles were a little like the oddly placed act on the bill – an electro dance outfit with dark lyrical content more suited to clubs specialising in DJ sets than the hook-laden quick pop songs of 1990s. Nonetheless, they do their thing well. Being in their company is like listening to Triple J’s late night DJ set: ambient, experimental songs with no defined lyrics and only the occasional interception of words. The atmospheric aura and expansive guitar and keyboard effects became a little difficult to keep up with as the night wore on but vocalist Josh’s stage antics made for a bit of eye-opening visuals.

1990s greet their Melbourne fans with drummer Michael McGaughrin taking a photo of us from behind his drum kit. When they launched head first into current single 'You Made Me' I felt a mixed reaction: couldn’t think of a better start to the gig but how would this band, with limited back catalogue, maintain the excitement and pace when arguably their best song has now been played? And given subdued temperament of the normally easily excitable ‘mosh pit’, I thought it can only get better.

A massive show of enthusiasm was saved half way through for first single, 'See You At The Lights', and for the equally energetic and loud 'You’re Supposed To Be My Friend'. 1990s infectious tunes and pleasant, down to earth stage mannerisms were a highlight and a winning feature of their performance. As Jackie said, it is all about fun! They had arms waving in the air on the gentler 'Arcade Precinct', but the band’s strongest point is their danceable beat which tonight, courtesy of a drummer clearly enjoying himself, stood out above anything else happening on stage.

After receiving some crowd groans for announcing their last song, then being cheered back emphatically for an encore, the three lads returned with a lengthy jam of 'Some Kind Of Situation'. For a band that lost their bassist only weeks before, they came across as totally composed. Without analysing too much, 1990s succeeded in reigniting our belief in music as a fun, lighthearted outlet.

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