Report and photos by Tania Graham-Brown
Old Mervs’ show at the Roundhouse in Sydney was a testament to their rapid rise as one of Australia’s most exciting indie-rock acts. The WA duo, Dave House and Henry Carrington-Jones, delivered their signature blend of catchy hooks, breezy guitars, and infectious energy to a packed all-ages crowd, celebrating the release of their highly anticipated debut album.
We arrived in time to see Jet City Sports Club, who brought their infectious guitar-driven indie-pop sound, warming up the crowd with shimmering melodies and heartfelt energy that perfectly set the tone for the night. The support slot was a great introduction to a band on the rise, who’ve been steadily making waves on the east coast and are about to embark on their first headline tour. Their set was full of catchy, emotional tunes that had the crowd hooked and ready for Old Mervs’ main act.
The atmosphere with the boys was reminiscent of a summer festival, with the audience’s enthusiasm and participation creating a perfect atmosphere. They played a nice mix of new tracks from their debut album like “What You’ve Lost” and “Parched,” alongside well-loved numbers such as “Cellphone” and “Honey.” They’ve been playing to bigger rooms and bigger crowds, but they haven’t lost that down-to-earth vibe that makes their shows feel like a big hangout with mates. If you’ve seen them before, you’ll notice how much more polished they are, but they’re still all about making sure everyone has a good time. This Sydney gig was no exception—just a really solid, feel-good night from a band that’s only getting better.
