DRAFTDAY – Gig Review & Photo Gallery 20th July @ Happy Yess, Darwin NT

Posted on July 21, 2019 by Tamara May

DRAFTDAY
Happy Yess, Darwin NT
Saturday 20th July
Supports: We Burn Bridges and Open Scars

Earlier this year, a band called DRAFTDAY emerged in the Top End and released two singles. Since releasing these singles (‘Soap’ and ‘En Soi’, one of which we premiered here), the boys have been making waves in the local scene. They then got invited to play opening night of the Darwin Fringe Festival, and so it’s no surprise that when this young alternative rock band announced their first ever headline gig, presales sold out almost instantly.

Young up-and-comers Open Scars began the night with their soulful pop vibes while the punters were still coming through the doors. I’d last seen these guys play to a festival setting at BASS in the Grass, but tonight was a little bit more of an intimate setting which worked to their favour. Vocalist Zo Bailey can definitely hold down a solid note.

We Burn Bridges were up next, and by this point the venue was packed. Having only just released their Head Prison EP earlier this year (our review here), the boys played an epic set of their heavy breakdowns and even had the room in a circle pit. They also gave us some newbies which goes to show that We Burn Bridges aren’t slowing down anytime soon.

Opening with their first single ‘Soap‘, DRAFTDAY finally took to the stage and played a nonstop set of their indie/alternative catalogue of songs. The crowd particularly enjoyed a unique take on Trophy Eyes hit ‘Chlorine‘. It’s hard to believe that they’re still a fairly young band to the Top End music community, because DRAFTDAY play like they’ve been around the touring circuit for a while. Vocalist Arran Barker‘s charisma shines on stage, and the boys’ unified performance is way too big to be gigging just around Darwin. If tonight is anything to go by and they play their cards right, it can be confirmed that DRAFTDAY are set for massive things in the near future.