The Preatures at The 100 Club

Sydney-based five-piece The Preatures had one of the break-out hits of summer 2013 with their irresistible single Is This How You Feel? Judging by last night’s sold-out show at The 100 Club, the Haim-esque, disco-tinged groove of their biggest single isn’t particularly representative of the band’s sound. Instead, they perfect a heavier, swaggering, 80s-inspired kind of danceable rock and roll. Tonight’s blistering 35-minute set confirms the belief that The Preatures are onto a good thing and will not merely be defined by Is This How You Feel? 

The show, packed full of girls with nice hair and boys with nice shirts, is the last of a string of sold-out European dates and from the outset it’s clear that this is a band full of confidence right now. Front woman Isabella Manfredi struts onto the stage wearing her now-trademark white crop top. The house lights dim, the spotlight shines on her, and for the next 35 minutes the audience is captivated. Manfredi is undoubtedly the star here. It’s impossible to take your eyes off her. At times she locks eyes with various members of the crowd and sings directly, almost confrontationally, at them. Her energy, sex-appeal and vocal range mean there’s something of the Karen O about her; or, perhaps more appropriately given the band’s influences, Divinyls’ Chrissy Amphlett.

At times during the set, it feels like Manfredi’s commanding stage presence glosses over the band’s poorer songs. Overall, though, this is a performance full of very well-crafted songs. New single Better Than It Could Ever Be, one of many new songs played tonight, sounds revelatory in a live setting. Last year’s Manic Baby sounds heavier and groovier than it does on record. They close with Is This How You Feel? to ensure everyone goes home with a spring in their step and the melody in their head.

The Preatures’ debut album is due for release this year and, going by tonight’s performance, it will make for an exciting listen. They’ll be one of the buzz bands at this year’s SXSW festival and by the end of 2014 a lot more people will be familiar with The Preatures.

Mark Carr
Photos: Helle Gylling

For further information and future events visit The Preatures’ website here.

Watch the video for Better Than It Ever Could Be here: