Monday 7 march 2011 at the 'Oxford Art Factory' Sydney.

photos & words. Lina Zainal

The first time I heard Best Coast was the song 'Boyfriend' from my friend's record in his living room, I fell in love and went out to get myself a copy of my own record. For the next one and a half month I listened to that record every single day. It's alright that I have to listen to it on  a turntable, it's OK not having it on mp3 form, the music was constantly in my head. So when I got the opportunity to see them live, I didn't think twice and got meself a ticket, about two months in advance!

days gone bye, weeks went pass and finally it was hours away before I get to see them live, right before my eyes. I'm not much of a concert kind of gal, I make sure I get my money's worth that's why I only go to band that I really really like, so far so good, they haven't disappoint.

The opening band was a Melbourne based two-girls-band called 'Super Wild Horses'. Lovely in the subtlest way, they are nothing but vixens with music genius as their super power. I always make the effort of supporting the support act because the chances of 9-1 they're always awesome. And again this time I was right. They played very rock n' roll in it's simplest form of electric guitar and raw drum beats accompanied by sweet voices like fairies. It wasn't an option to keep still, you just automatically danced and moved around, to do slight head bangs at least. I was well energized by their performance and so did everyone. I was all giddy and the 45 minutes wait until Best Coast was a bit unbearable but I got through alright in the end.

When they finally pulled the curtains open the stage was empty except for instruments in their positions. Then slowly walked in Bobb Bruno with Ali Koehler and Bethany Cosentino following behind. Everyone started cheering and clapping like crazy. They said hello and a little chat was thrown to the audience from Beth then they start playing and it was... a bit disappointing. It was kind of slow and they look slightly bored, except for Bobb who was rockin' out with great awesomeness. After about two songs somebody was brave enough to yell out turn up the guitar which the sound tech guy did and it went better from then on. It was a short set, they played for about an hour, maybe an hour and a half which they also played I think two of their new songs which are pretty cool, got me excited about their new album! Halfway through the set I decided to fuck my disappointment and enjoy it anyway whether the music was bad, alright or really good and then after that I started to had more fun. I was at the front with them playing live and alterations to their album versions. They probably didn't want to play exactly like the record, and if I wanted the ones like the album I should just go home and turn on my turntable, so I cleared my head and did some little dancing and mini head bangs.

All and all it was descent gig, I wouldn't be sure if I would see them live again but it was fun while it lasted. Maybe if they came around again and the ticket prices would be the same I wouldn't mind coughing up some bucks but otherwise I would just enjoy them in the comfort of my room or in the car driving down to the beach on a sunny afternoon.