It was girls in 50s style dresses and gents in leather jackets as far as the eye could see on the second night of Little Red's sold out run at The Annandale.

Opening support Andy Bull played it sweet and soft with vocals carrying a distinct James Morrison twang. Looking more like Jared Followill, he held his own when the sound blew and entertained the audience with banter. Grateful and modest, his genuine character won people over, even if the music bordered lounge jazz.

Catching the end of The Holidays, it became clear that while the songs were solid and they all play in tune, their overall performance was lacklustre. Sounding like every other indie rock band in Sydney will do that.

Stars of the show, Little Red appeared looking like a rag-tag bunch of high school kids who had decided to form a band on a whim. Mostly dressed in either suits or white shirts and trousers, bassist Quang Dinh was the rebel in a button-popping tartan shirt.

Their look is just the start to the 50s revival they’re so keen on. The songs came thick and fast, with such unbridled enthusiasm it was impossible to not start breaking out in dance.

Opening with Stare in Love, we were transported with pitch perfect harmonies. The crowd reacted well to So Long and Misty, I, but interest was waning as they played slow jams continuously. It may help the band to look into their set list, as the second half of the show is far more energetic than the first.

Witchdoctor set feet alight, and new songs were received well considering they’ve only just released their album. Speedo proved to be more sinister and sensual sounding than previously thought, and Jackie Cooper practically had the girls clamouring on stage to get to the lads. Little Red switched vocalists easily, and thrust heads forward to share microphones and join in on harmonies. All the while, drummer Taka Honda’s head bobbed about uncontrollably.

Couples were slow dancing like it was prom up the back, but it was the final songs including Waiting that tore the place up. Anticipation grew with the inevitable final song approaching, and when the first lines of Coca Cola were uttered, the Annandale became a throng of jiving bodies, all clapping and singing in unison. So loud were the shouts of the crowd, it would be unsurprising if a throng of girls later chased the band down the street a la The Beatles. The endorsements this song could get are ridiculous.

After the screamingly heart-pounding magic of Coca Cola, it was disappointing to have the band return for the obligatory encore with a song which couldn’t match the passion evoked previously.

Little Red are a unique band on the Australian landscape, and their live shows are filled with such pure enjoyment, one can only wish the best for them.

Photo by James I. Chen @ Flickr.