LIVE REVIEW + GALLERY | THE BELAIR LIP BOMBS @ SCALA, London

Niamh Rogers

London/Cornwall-based photographer with a love for shoegaze, post-punk and intimate gigs. Usually found trying to look invisible while taking photos in very visible places.

Fresh off the release of ‘Again‘, The Belair Lip Bombs bring their dreamy, high-energy sound to a packed Scala. A vibrant set that proves why they’re fast becoming Australia’s best-kept secret

After releasing their 2nd album ‘Again’ – a record packed with energy and classic indie rock riffs, The Belair Lip Bombs have jetted off from Melbourne for an EU/UK tour, starting off in Copenhagen and set to finish in Dublin. On Friday night, they brought their dreamy, sun-soaked energy to Scala, playing their biggest headline gig to date!

*The Belair Lip Bombs | Photography by Niamh Rogers*

The venue was packed out before TBLB even stepped on stage, with Ain’t and Trout on as support beforehand, warming up the room with the crowd bubbling in anticipation. Ain’t filled the space with their noisy ethereal shoegaze rock paired with a whimsical on-stage presence from lead singer Hanna Baker Darch – an atmosphere which set the tone for what was to come.

At 8:45 the The Belair Lip Bombs kicked things off with ‘Again and Again’, and the crowd was moving straight away. With the crowd ranging from fresh gig-goers to well-experienced indie-rockers, it was great to see the excitement that filled the venue. Making their way through a setlist which kept the energy high throughout the evening, with a few mellow moments giving the crowd a chance to catch their breath. Even with a broken leg, guitarist Mike Bradvica didn’t hold back, keeping Scala’s aura high with honey-toned guitar riffs.

Midway through the set, ‘Look The Part’ (A TBLB classic) landed as a clear crowd favourite. Wrapping up the set with ‘Don’t Let Them Tell You (It’s Fair)’ around 9:45, closing out an hour of high-energy upbeat Aussie goodness. A vibrant crowd made their way onto the streets of King’s Cross, dissecting the set and high on the afterglow.

There’s something special about seeing a band like The Belair Lip Bombs this time of year – their music possesses a sunshine feel to it, providing hope throughout the gruelling winter and optimism for summer. With hype from bands such as Spacey Jane, becoming the first Australian band to sign to Jack White’s Third Man Records and already touted as Australia’s best kept secret, it’s exciting to imagine where they’ll go next.