Ocean Alley Return To The Entry With More Friends

Much has changed in the year since Aussie Surfer Dudes Ocean Alley were in what they refer to as the “Mini Applebee’s” for the first time. They have played several large festivals, their newest single “Infinity” is getting great reviews and they have swapped their tiny tour van for a massive 12 person tour bus. And they brought stage lights……….lots and lots of stage lights.

First up was an artists “new to me, but not the rest of the audience” Ruby Waters. Sometimes the Entry is uh, “lightly attended” for an opener and fills up for the headlinder, but Sunday night saw a good sized crowd and they certainly seemed eager to see her. One of my first notes about her was “Rock Chick” – and I mean that in the best possible way. Waters commands the crowd’s attention like she was born to it. Her music style refuses to be defined by a single category. One song is blues rock, the next modern almost hip hop, yet it’s true to herself. A guitar strap refuses to stay on? Pull up a stool and perform seated. Her cover of “Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked” brought a grin to my face.

The 6 Aussies, their instruments and lights crowded the Entry’s small stage and the first bars of “The Comedown” made us forget the wet and chilly June night outside. If you google “Cool” this band should be in the top of your search results. If you listen closely, there is a ton of complexity under their sound’s top layer. Ocean Alley is one hard working / touring band and the way 6 musicians on stage come together into something that feels very relaxed and effortless is the fruit of their labour.

Set List: The Comedown / Bones / Knees / Stained Glass / Yellow / Rage / Partner In Crime / Infinity / Flowers / Holiday / Overgrown / Baby Come Back / Happy Sad
Encore: Lemon / Confidential