Vivarta + Skullsquadron – Hopetoun Hotel (02.09.09)


Tonight, the Hopetoun Hotel outsourced its Headline act to Japan, and with some local support by their side, provided an evening of some interesting musical treats.

I unfortunately missed opening act Virgo Rising, but I hear great things about the Sydney band, and will definitely endevour to catch them at a later date. Skullsquadron, up next, were the first band I caught; the three piece bringing a healthy of melodic rock and roll to the venue. I was impressed by their tunes and stage presence alike – expect to see great things from them by 2010!

Vivarta, meanwhile – well I wasn’t quite sure what to make of them. They sort of sounded like a Japanese Pearl Jam cover band. I can’t think of any other way to describe them, and I still can’t decide whether or not this comparison is a good or a bad thing. But they were a good dose of fun – and to see a band from Japan you’ve never heard of for under $10 – plus the sounds of the preceding Sydney acts – well that’s a great night out by any standard. 

Long live the Hopetoun!

Larry Heath

Founding Editor and Publisher of the AU review. Currently based in Toronto, Canada. You can follow him on Twitter @larry_heath or on Instagram @larryheath.