The Rions at The Lansdowne Hotel, 2 June 2023 with Big Wheels and Molly Rocket
Review and images by Michael Ryan

The Lansdowne Hotel, an establishment built upon the uni student crowd, a venue home to independent, Australian artists.

The gig was to be performed on the second level. The stairs awaited, a supernatural atmosphere. Curiously yet anxiously climbing adventuring into what seemed to be the lair of a mad scientist.

What greeted us was an intimate venue; a small stage, a bar, dark lighting and of course, carpet stickier than one can describe.

Big Wheels were to kick off the night, the band could be best described in this way; if Jet and The Strokes had a baby that was then raised by a divorcé wine mum from double bay, nourished only by pictures of Robert Plant, you’d have Big Wheels. A collective that truly rocked and put back that 70’s sound.

Following, was Molly Rocket. An ode to 90’s grunge, met with existential angst in screaming form, distortion of the highest degree, a Nirvana love child if you will. As the crowd grew accustomed to this scene, they swiftly changed up into an indie-pop-melodic band. It was definitely an experience.

The Rions, full of showmanship and entertainment, walking out to Michael Jackson’s Thriller, then belting out the Ghostbuster’s Theme, the Avalon band truly knew how to put on a show. Dazzling the crowd with unreleased songs, sing-a-longs and most importantly an Abba track. Truly breathtaking, the band defined what a performance was and delivered.

It was a concoction of sounds at the Lansdowne, travelling from shake-your-tail-feather  70s rock, to a mixture of grunge and indie, then into the Rion’s own unique flavoursome aesthetic. A night that was spectacular.

I implore you dearest of readers, to explore the indie band circuit. Effervescent energy and excitement it is sure to prove to you, live shows are THE superior medium of experiencing music.