Melbourne-adopted ‘I-don’t-give-a-damn-what-every-one-else-is-playing’ band, King Cannons, set off their headlining album launch tour with a bang last Thursday at the Toff.

Supporting act, Major Tom and the Atoms, proved to be a brilliant crowd warmer. Major Tom, otherwise known as Tom Hartney of Little Red fame, and the rest of the six-piece ensemble filled the room with electric energy from their first track, and soon snapped up the crowd’s attention.

There was a real conflict of visual and auditory signals that lasted throughout their set that kept people on their toes and interested. Hartney, a Rod Stewart look-a-like wearing a three-piece tartan suit, stood out amongst the six. There was a certain expectation that his Little Red background would shine through, however this was not the case at all. While Little Red have taken a more modern and indie turn, Major Tom and the Atoms have gone the other way and have successfully created a white man’s contemporary blues band, complete with harmonica and saxophone. There’s not a bad word to say about them.

The crowd itself was a really good mixed bag of people, who throughout both sets were receptive and really just there for a good time. It was their attitudes in conjunction with the music that helped to make the feel-good atmosphere that much more electric.

Lead singer and guitarist of King Cannons, Luke Yeoward, clearly energised by the crowd’s excitement, shouted out to the lucky punter Ruth halfway though their set for her birthday.

The sold-out act was enthusiastic from the second they walked out on stage.  If there is one thing that can be said about King Cannons’ live show, it is that they ooze talent and play with genuine sincerity. Yeoward, for example, simply could not stop grinning throughout the entire set. Whether you are a fan of their sound or not, their music is highly respectable.

Two tracks in and the band played their newest, and stand out, single “Too Young” – a serious crowd pleaser. However, it wasn’t until the count in for song “The Cool Change”, “Tahi, rua, toru, wha!” (Maori for 1, 2, 3, 4) did a massive grin slap across the face of half the room – presumably New Zealanders, but no less exciting.

The band covered The Traveling Wilburys’ “End of the Line” with absolute finesse – a perfect cover choice for their sound, energy and Yeoward’s forceful yet bone chilling vocals that would make Johnny Cash beam like a school girl in his grave.

Of course, this being their first gig of the tour, at the end of the show there were a lot of thank you’s and special mentions. In fact, this was actually the most that Yeoward had said between songs throughout the entire show. Though, that being said, his lack of speaking wasn’t a let down – it simply allowed for more of their new music to sink in. Not many bands can get away with that.

The audience brought them back for an encore, choosing three songs – starting with The Ramones “Rockaway Beach” – that made the room go absolutely spastic – crowdsurfers and all.  It was seemingly a perfect ending for the performance.

To those lucky few who are planning on heading to any of the other gigs in the tour, whether you are a die-hard fan or simply just mildly interested, you are in for a real treat. This one’s not worth missing.

– Tara Emily

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