Live Review: Sticky Fingers, Underlights, Callithump

Callithump were first to hit the stage on a night that was set to be one big party from the very beginning. The guys are relatively new on the scene and their reggae rock sound isn't as polished as the headliners of the night, but they did enough to get the slowly building crowd swaying early in the night.

Underlights were next up. The band had some technical problems that resulted in a short interlude around the middle of a set that was otherwise a good introduction to what was to come – music that was loud, melodic and hard to ignore.

The boys from Sticky Fingers know how to throw a party. Cast your mind back to the Newtown Festival a few years back when they unofficially headlined from a mate's backyard – after their requests to play officially were declined – and it's easy to see why they've gained a reputation for gigs that are both irreverent and drenched in raw energy.

Their appearance at Sydney's The Standard was no different and the guys made it clear from the very beginning they were there to have a good time, sculling their beers on stage and throwing their cans into the audience. The very enthusiastic crowd had similar intentions and security was ever-present, at times taking over the stage in an attempt to calm punters. The band did their best to aid them, however you couldn't help but notice their delight at being able to create such an uproar in their hometown.

Sticky Fingers have a sound that is unique and refreshing for the Sydney scene. Their psychedelic, dub reggae tunes might gain them comparisons to bands such as The Beautiful Girls but what sets them apart is the absolute mayhem that their music creates. Their tunes are punchy and hectic, and there were very few in the crowd who could resist being swept up in the wave of melodic guitar, reggae beats and catchy vocals that the guys had to offer.

Sticky Fingers have done well to gain a legion of loyal fans prior to their album release. Singles Caress Your Soul and Clouds And Cream had the crowd singing along to every word but it was obvious that even their lesser known tunes have been making it on the playlists on fans' iPods. The guys proved they can take things down a notch with the more relaxed Happy Endings and their cover of Fleetwood Mac's Rhiannon was a definite crowd pleaser.