Preceding Western Australian act Voltaire Twins for their headline slot were three up and coming local bands, providing the very few early comers with a demonstration of what music Melbourne is currently brewing beneath the surface.

Experimental pop act Limb were playing as a duo for the very first time, having just recently lost their drummer.

Lead singer Adam, decked out in a bright blue suit, provided his deep vocals over the top of heavy synth beats, which came from songs off their debut Star Crossed EP.

However four-piece indie outfit The McQueens brought a little more rock for their set. With minimal elements of electronica, their catchy riffs showed great promise; although frontman Noah McQueen’s vocals were lost in the music for much of their set.

Which is a pity, because when they could be heard, they were just another reason why The McQueens are something to watch out for in the future.

Rounding out the support slots were Buckley Ward. The alternative pop outfit released their album So Pretend last year, and less than 12 months later the five-piece show little signs of resting upon the shoulders of that album for much longer.

Their set was filled with plenty of new songs that only makes one eagerly anticipate for when their next release might see the light of day.

In 2012 Voltaire Twins gave Australians sufficient opportunities to notice them. If not for their Apollo EP, or their tour with San Cisco, then maybe for being banned from YouTube with their video for ‘Solaris’.

The video contained just enough nudity to cause a small raucous, but when ‘Solaris’, began the four piece’s set there was zero controversy among the audience.

Voltaire Twins’ new wave synth pop had a drum beat infecting enough for the front of the audience to dance like crazy and for the rest to nod in appreciation.

Fronted by siblings Teagan and Jaymes, their vocals were at greatest when in perfect unison, otherwise it was far too easy to tell the disparity between the recorded and live versions of their songs.

The duo’s two other biggest tracks – ‘Animalia’ and ‘Young Adult’ – were received warmly by the audience, both a reminder of the group’s skill in making memorable pop hooks. But more importantly they showed just why we should be looking forward to their forthcoming debut album.

With room for growth, Voltaire Twins could be one of the more surprising acts to release new music in 2013.

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