TINY MOVING PARTS // Punks To The Front

Jan 28, 2020 / WORDS Chanel Issa / PHOTOS Ashley Mar / It’s All In The Family

Tiny Moving Parts with Squid Fishing & Zen Haircuts
The Lair, Sydney
Sunday 26th January, 2020

Tiny Moving Parts‘ second Sydney show was an intimate affair, and punters huddled into The Lair, keen to see the self-professed family band play another date on their debut Australian headline tour.

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Western Sydney’s Zen Haircuts kicked off the afternoon in all their punk rock glory, intertwining some of their old favourites with newbies. High energy characterised their set, as well as obvious nods to the 2000’s new-wave emo and indie rock scenes. Regardless, early arrivers were mesmerised by their twinkling melodies, and it was another stellar example of what our homegrown talent has to offer. We’ve also got to give these legends a shoutout for using their platform to pay tribute to the traditional custodians of the land on this Australia Day.

Zen Haircuts // By Ashley Mar

Melbourne’s Squid Fishing followed with a set full of shouting, dancing and damn good tunes.

Blending alternative, indie and punk influences with youthful energy and their lost voices, the quartet delivered on the entertainment front. Squid Fishing has long prided their shows as a safe, happy space and this was no exception. Punters moved and grooved along to their back catalogue, breaking out into full dance for a toe-tapping cover of the Paramore classic, Brick By Boring Brick.

Squid Fishing // By Ashley Mar

A short wait between bands was truncated by more Paramore blasting through the room, and it wasn’t long before the opening notes of Sundress (off 2014’s Pleasant Living) kicked off Tiny Moving Parts’ set. Perhaps inspired by the incredibly badass child that stood side of stage air drumming, punters flailed their limbs to the noise.

With seven full-length albums of material to choose from, the Minnesota rockers did their best to show some love to both their old and new work. And this was clearly appreciated by the crowd, who made no secret of their excitement at seeing the band on their second-ever Australian run. Undoubtedly the most excited was the dedicated squad who gathered at the stage front and bounced along to every track. There was a real sense of inclusivity in the group, and it was heartwarming to see them scream every word back to the band.

Tiny Moving Parts // By Ashley Mar

With good vibes in the air, it was hard to decide who was having a better time—the band or the crowd. The trio looked to be having a blast as they delved into their latest record Breathe (released in 2019), and tracks like Bloody Nose and The Midwest Sky elicited as much energy in the crowd as their deeper cuts did. After an almost hour-long set, the trio showed their appreciation for Lord of The Fries (a band after our own heart) and closed with Feel Alive.

Tiny Moving Parts // By Ashley Mar

With over ten years of experience as a band under their belt (and a lifetime of familial ties), Tiny Moving Parts proved themselves to be masters of their earnest, emo sound. As they left the stage, chants for one more song echoed through the room. It was a sentiment we wholeheartedly agreed with, come back soon, please!

Tiny Moving Parts with Special Guests Squid Fishing

PERTH // Wednesday 29 January // Lucy’s Love Shack (18+) w/ Lionizer & Alex The Kid
ADELAIDE // Friday 31 January // Crown & Anchor (18+) w/ Madura Green
MELBOURNE // Saturday 1 February // Wrangler Studios (AA) w/ Turn South
MELBOURNE // Sunday 2 February // The Evelyn Hotel (18+) w/ Self Talk

Tickets available here.