:: Duck Duck Boom - Empress Hotel, North Fitzroy - February 2008

By: Sabine Brix

Unfortunately, whoever organised this festival, either had the idea that they could pull crowds away from the St Kilda Festival, or they were oblivious that it was to be staged on the same day. Then, the fact that it was eerily empty should not have come as too much of a surprise, or perhaps the $30 cover charge was too much to chew on for some punters who could have meandered bayside for the mere fare of a tram ride.

The Vice Chancellors' brand of psychedelic ambient pop seemed to echo out into an almost empty room, but their performance was interesting nonetheless. With an average age of 19, these youngsters from WA showed that they have a full sound, although some numbers did seem to drag on and become flat, perhaps because of the vibe in the room, can't be blamed really.

By the time I stepped out for some lunch and returned an hour and a half later the crowd was still pretty much non-existent, unfortunately for Tonight is Like Space Invaders, although their performance was energetic. Their jangly indie sound complete with crunchy guitar riffs made their namesake obvious and tempted me to whisk down to Russell St afterwards for some arcade fire.

Great to see in both these bands was the female presence with drummer in the Vice Chancellors and bass player in Tonight is like Space Invaders, something distinctly different from many of the all-male line-ups.

Let's hope if there ever is a Duck Duck Boom two, it's staged on a different date, a good thing for both the promoters and performers.