Hotter than hell took over the car park of the Gepps Cross Ale House, which made for a surprisingly spacious venue. The stage had been set up Infront of Dan Murphys, with his illuminated face watching over the festivities in a saintly fashion. It’s hard not to see the appeal of these nostalgic festivals. Little Birdy, Jebediah and Less than Jake were playing their classic albums in full. I don’t know what’s spurred the full album trend on, but it’s something I’ll happily indulge in.

The day kicked off with the always lively ‘The Bennies, who live up to their self-proclaimed title of “the best band in the world.” Despite being one of the newer bands on the lineup, the unique chaos of the Bennies felt like a strong start to the day. The crowd saw some serious movement when lead singer Anty Horgan started belting out  “Hey mother fucker, I’m a party machine”.

A raised VIP section sat to the right of the stage, with some coveted seats in the shade. Most of the crowd were sporting band tees, skate ware, or some kind of motorbike brand. My favourite shirt from the day just said, ‘Fuck with the yabbie, get the stabbie’. With the cost of a beer hovering around the $10 mark, it was a relief not to worry about remortgaging the house for a drink. The crowd proved to be quite friendly, with good company easy to find amongst the punters.

Next up was Little Birdy, who performed their 2004 album BigBigLove after a 14-year hiatus. Katy was in good form, having sharpened her skills touring solo for the past few years. Her 2016 track ‘It Ain’t Me’ along with some of her other disco-pop tunes are criminally under rated. I was surprised by how many of Little Birdy’s songs has weaved their way through my childhood. ‘Beautiful to Me’

Less Than Jake rocked the crowd hard, playing Hello Rockview in its entirety, which was a treat for fans of ska punk. I hadn’t known about the band before catching them on the line-up, they’re a 5-piece band out of Gainesville, Florida. They’ve got a great sax player that gives their songs a jaunty edge. I’d be hard pressed to find a low moment in their set.

Finally, Regurgitator closed the night with an electrifying performance that seamlessly blended rap, rock, and synth-pop. The band are fresh off the back of their ‘invader’ tour, with the album having dropped in April.

In addition to the trio of Quan, Ben, and Peter, Sarah Lim has been joining the band for live shows. Equipped with a black keytar she fits into the bands chaotic dynamic perfectly, with hair that seems to take on a life of its own. I like to imagine there isn’t a wind machine, it’s just the power of music.

It’s a passionate crowd, the lyrics of polyester girl and blubber boy don’t go over anyone’s heads. The evening ended on a high note with their hit !(The Song Formerly Known As), leaving the crowd buzzing with excitement . I was lucky enough to catch the band at Woodford at the start of the year, the crowd there was so packed I could barely get close enough to see. It was great to see them up close and personal at Hotter than Hell.