#1 Dads – Corner Hotel, Melbourne 10/07/15

Last night, Tom Iansek treated a sold out room at Melbourne’s The Corner Hotel to an hour of sweet perfection. The Big Scary frontman’s short-lived side project #1 Dads put on an absolute display, proving why the act will be so sorely missed now that Iansek is wrapping it up to focus on Big Scary’s third album. Which better be bloody good.

The Ocean opened with a splash (sorry), while tracks Sister, ironically dedicated to his brother, and Life Oh Life had the jam packed room eating out of Iansek’s musically gifted hands, showing off his crisp vocals and scaling melodies. It was half way through the set though, that things got truly special.

The first surprise, an appearance from the divine Tom Snowdon of Lowlakes. The moody, slow burning Return To washing over the room in a pretty, Chet Faker-esque echo and making a play for the highlight of the night. Rivalled perhaps by the appearance of Airling for a heavenly performance of God Can Promise, or by the amazing Ainslie Wills on crowd favourite So Soldier.

Iansek may just be the most generous Australian artist when it comes to sharing the stage, admitting to the crowd that his secret to success is to “surround yourself with people more talented than you.” Whether this is true is up for debate, but no one can argue that these aren’t some of the best Aussie acts around right now and boy did it make for a special show. Any one of them would be worth a night at The Corner in their own right, and #1 Dads gifted us by putting them all on the one stage, in the one hour. Perfection.

A stumbly Dad joke confirmed my suspicions that Iansek may just be one of the most endearing guys in music, before thanking us for the awesome turn out and sliding into the crowd pleasing Camberwell.

#1 Dads ended the night on a high, with the track I’m sure half of the boozy crowd had been waiting all night to hear, the incredible Like A Version of FKA Twigs’ Two Weeks. And it didn’t disappoint.

#1 Dads is next off to Sydney and Perth, before gracing us with a final Splendour In The Grass performance before the project is put to rest. If you can get there, get there. If you can’t, kick yourself.

Gallery: #1 Dads @ Corner Hotel, Melbourne 8/07/15 / Photos by Nikki Williams

#1 Dads 2015 Remaining Australian Headline Dates

Saturday, 11th July 2015 – SOLD OUT

The Rosemount, Perth

Tickets: #1 Dads

Sunday, 12th July 2015

The Rosemount, Perth

Tickets: #1 Dads

Tuesday, 14th July 2015 – SOLD OUT

Oxford Art Factory, Sydney

Tickets: #1 Dads

Wednesday, 15th July 2015 – SOLD OUT

Oxford Art Factory, Sydney

Tickets: #1 Dads

Thursday, 16th July 2015 – SOLD OUT

Oxford Art Factory, Sydney

Tickets: #1 Dads

Friday, 17th July 2015 – SOLD OUT

Oxford Art Factory, Sydney

Tickets: #1 Dads

Saturday, 18th July 2015

Oxford Art Factory, Sydney

Tickets: #1 Dads