Every so often a rising band plays a small show that helps build the growing mystique surrounding their name. Such gigs stamp their reputation in the audience’s minds, adding fuel and volume to the positive talk surrounding them. Eventually, when the band makes it, people look back on these performances exclaiming “I was there when Jimmy and the Rad Snakes played at the Hi-Fi Bar when NOBODY had heard of them” with the thrill of seeing an act on the road to greatness. So, it was on a cold night that a diverse crowd headed to the Northcote Social Club in the hope that they would see a show to remember from Sparkadia, a band on the rise.

Warming up the stage were two very distinct acts whose sounds and presence differed greatly. The very youthful local outfit Oh Mercy played in front of a handful of early birds who were most likely unaware of the 11:20 start of the headliners. What they saw was a rather unassuming act going about their business in an awkward yet endearing way. They were followed by Perth band Dirty Secrets, whose lead singer, Jarrah McCleary, sounds remarkably similar to Interpol’s Paul Banks. With a sound that ranged from the English scene of the 1980’s, to the indie electro that is popular today, Dirty Secrets seemed to please a lot of the punters, warming them and the stage up for what was to come.

So, when the clock finally hit 11:20, Sparkadia began to play to a crowd that were filled with both anticipation and expectation. Opening with the track Sleeping Lion, a curious choice due to its sheer lifelessness, Sparkadia did not hit the ground running as one would have hoped, though that all changed when they jumped into Kiss of Death, the first of many crowd favourites, which started to get things moving. Too Much to Do came next, one of the highlights of the night, which once again got the crowd dancing and this writer smiling. Morning Light, with its sweeping chorus had the crowd in its fullest voice for the evening; Space and Time saw the use of an accordion and Jealousy kept an otherwise garrulous crowd mesmerized.

Overall, the set was diverse, displaying that a band in its infancy can still have an impressive repertoire. With the noticeably talkative crowd, it was easy to get distracted and at times, annoyed, but lead singer Alex Burnett continuously shook any negativity out of you with the splendour of his voice. Quite simply, Burnett stole the show. His voice is wistful, engaging and nothing short of breathtaking. He really deserves to be playing in settings that do justice to his gift. As good a venue as the Northcote Social Club is, the low ceilings did not provide the platform for Burnett’s voice to soar.

Although Friday night was pleasing, Sparkadia demonstrated a rawness that suggests that they are still a band in their formative years, developing both their music and the ability to captivate an audience. Their stage presence could be improved, but as the sweat of Alex Burnett and drummer Dave Hall indicated, they are certainly giving their performances their all. This attitude coupled with increased experience should see them really grow into themselves and make full use of their singer’s capabilities.

With a spot at the Glastonbury Festival we’ll be hearing plenty more from them when they return to our city in September. Sparkadia are definitely a band with a bright future.