Sans Parents @ Oxford Art Factory, 30th Sep

“Sans Parents prove that it’s not the size of the band in the tune, it’s the size of the tune in the band, and holy hell, it’s big tunes all the way tonight. They’re split between Sydney & Brisbane so don’t get to play all that often, which is a pity since their growing collection of fuzzy, slightly spiky, harmonised guitar pop should really get out more. On record, it’s smooth as glass, but live there’s a bit more oomph and adrenaline, although those pitch-perfect harmonies between Kane and Alex remain impressively in place. It’s those harmonies that really make it special – there is a boatload of interesting and intelligent songwriting, some extremely accomplished musicianship (all of them have been around the block in other bands like Hungry Kids Of Hungary and Babaganouj), but that rich and gooey vocal sauce over the top is what holds it all together. We get all the songs from their latest excellent The Dead End EP, including the giddy little maniac that is “Loose People”, and we even get a Crowded House cover for good measure, but the star of the show throughout are those harmonies. Big tunes for sure, smothered in thick rays of West Coast sunshine from another time.”

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