Coopers are renowned for producing only the best ale in our very own backyard, but they’ve gone the extra mile by combining two things that really go hand in hand – good beer and great live music. This year’s Adelaide Coopers After Dark event saw the South Australian family-owned company muster up Melbourne indie rock four-piece Kingswood and local psych rock band Glass Skies for an exclusive one-night-only show at The Governor Hindmarsh. Punters lucky enough to win tickets through promotions were welcomed to free beer and platters of finger food – on this rare occasion the best things in life were free.
Glass Skies opened the night with shrieking guitar licks and plenty of psychedelic energy. Having been unfamiliar with the Adelaide band, I became an instant fan hooked into the thick reverb that quickly filled the room. The dark ales were flowing, and many found it hard not to spill their beers as they mirrored the intense head-banging happening on stage. Since they started in 2012, Glass Skies have steadily gained momentum in the Australian music industry, having supported Pond, The Delta Riggs and Saskwatch, these three boys from Adelaide are sure to grow even bigger as the year progresses.
Then it was time for Kingswood – some had already established their spot in the mosh, while others flocked from the Rob Dunstan Bar for the infectious, opening “She’s My Baby” that had everyone aroused and ready for more. The band delivered more tracks from their debut album Microscopic Wars, such as the bluesy “I Can Feel That You Don’t Love Me” – There’s something comforting about frontman Fergus Linacre’s vocals on this song, the harmonious sound that flows from his voice box melted the hearts of woman reaching out to him in the front row. But it soon became a lot crazier when guitarist Alex Laska slid up and down his axe for the well-known “Ohio” that created a boot-stomping momentum. As the cold night reached its sweaty climax punters jumped on stage hurdling themselves into the crowd where they were lifted high into the rafters of the Gov as security attempted to bring them back down to earth.
The night finished with “Medusa” and the crowd chanting for an encore that wasn’t to be – but who could really complain with this quality of free live music? Those wise enough to stay until the free beer ran out were greeted by Kingswood frontman Linacre who was later seen asking for a lighter in the beer garden.
This gig was all about interaction, it’s clearer than Coopers Clear that the boys from Kingswood just want to play good rock music for fans who are willing to immerse themselves in their live sound. And that’s exactly what happened for the duration of their set, where hair-whipping was relentless and strangers in the crowd became best of friends through the mutual love of one Melbourne band and an iconic South Australian beer.
WHO: KINGSWOOD + GLASS SKIES
WHERE: THE GOVERNOR HINDMARSH
WHEN: FRIDAY 5TH OF JUNE
RATING: 4/5
Words by Caleb Sweeting
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