The Rubens @ Coolangatta Hotel, Gold Coast - 24/10/2015

The Rubens national tour just hit the Coolangatta hotel for a sold out show – the word amazing, doesn’t quiet cut it. As everyone huddled, things got close and personal as central coast duo James Draper and Jordan Brady were first to take the stage, the boys playing favourites like ‘Steady My Bones’ and sharing new songs which sounded incredible. Only putting their first EP out last year and now touring with The Ruben’s from sold out show to sold out show, these guys, formally known as Everything After, Winterbourne warmed up the crowd perfectly with their yellow mellow vibes. 

Saskwatch, second to take the stage put on a relentless set, with the band moving through track after track, mostly showcasing tunes from their most recent album Sorry I Let It Come Between Us. Nkechi Anele the front woman of the band’s vocals filled the room over a swirling wall of guitars and instrumentation. The band had energised the crowd the perfect amount for The Rubens.

As The Rubens hit the stage, I think my ear drums burst as the crowd went bizurk, when lead singer, Sam Margin opened with the smooth vocals from switchblade, whiles embracing the gaudy fashion, wearing a shiny, white jacket replete with gold trim, with a giant weed leaf and guns on the back – Now I may be mistaken but I think this might be the coolest jacket ever?

As the band began to play ‘Cut me loose’ the crowd huddled as close together as they could, then Sam launched himself into the crowd. Now I have seen this end so badly for some, but not for Sam, the fans were determined and surprisingly he made it all the way to the back of the room, politely shaking people’s hands as he made his way back to the stage.

The second half of the set was pretty much all Hoops, The exception being ‘My Gun’, which of course was an obvious favourite for large swathes of the crowd. The former leading nicely into ‘Hoops’ my favourite track from the album.  As the crowd was mesmerised by the track, I had already began to dance like a 4 year old who had just tried her first dose of sugar. As the boys began to wrap up the room swelled with screaming girls crying for an encore, and what an encore we got. First playing ‘Lay it Down’ with Sam Margin remarking it was their favourite to perform. Then the band brought it all to a close with ‘Hallelujah’, Winterbourne and Saskwatch spilled onto stage – the scene became like a jungle with Zaac Margin hanging from the lights near after just falling off Jordan Brady’s shoulders into the drum kit.  This was a fucking awesome way to close the night, with the packed Cooly crowd hollering along at the chorus. My only wish is they had this much energy from the beginning of the set. 

By Jariah Travan