It’s safe to say that most Australian bands who have gained national attention in recent times all got their start on everyone’s favourite youth radio station: Triple J. The three acts on the bill this evening, Hungry Kids of Hungary, Philadelphia Grand Jury and Washington, all stem from the jjj’s, having each won themselves a slot on the 2009 Big Day Out tour through their Unearthed competition. They’ve since joined together to form the ‘International Relations’ tour, taking their tunes around the country, and tonight they have landed at Coolangatta airport to play, well, next door, at the Airport Tavern.

First to grace the stage is Melbourne’s Washington, who consists solely of tiny songstress Megan Washington. While there isn’t a huge crowd, Washington instantly ignites her audience with her beautifully constructed piano ballads and hypnotic voice. Reminiscent of an early Regina Spektor, Washington soars through a gorgeous set featuring songs from her first EP ‘Clementine’, including ‘One Man Band’, ‘80 Miles’ and the heartbreakingly beautiful ‘Fighting the Good Fight’. Radio favourite ‘Clementine’ gets a great response from the crowd who happily sing along, but her cover of Rufus Wainright’s ‘Want’ is the highlight, leaving the audience truly mesmerised and only wanting more. If this set is anything to go by, Megan Washington is one name that is going to be heard a lot in the coming year. A truly beautiful and very promising performance.

Next up we have Sydney’s Philadelphia Grand Jury, a band which has definitely tapped into the latest anti shaving craze currently sweeping the nation. The venue has just about reached full capacity by now and within twenty seconds of the band’s opening tune ‘Ready to Roll’, the Philly Jillys (as they prefer to be called) have the entire crowd whipped into a frenzy. Beer is flying everywhere, strangers are hugging each other and the band are moving around the stage like this is the best night of their lives. A perfect combination of the absolute seriousness of Mess Hall and brilliant idiocy of The Hives, Guitarist and lead vocalist, Berkfinger, bass and keys player, MC Bad Genius and drummer Dan W Sweat are exuberating so much energy that you can’t help but fear for the safety of their instruments which are being played within an inch of their lives. By the time they whip out ‘Going to the Casino’, every single person squeezed into the Airport Tavern is dancing like the fate of the world depends on it, singing along at the top of their lungs. Set closer ‘We Don’t Want to Party’ just gets everyone, including the band, even more excited, absolutely exploding off the stage. By the time MC Bad Genius has knocked over the microphone stand with his bass guitar, Berkfinger has jumped off the stage to sing the final lines with the crowd each trying to jump on him and Dan W Sweat has just about given himself an aneurism from the sheer force he is using to play his drums, you can be rest assured that that the Philly Jillys have just won themselves a massive legion of fans. A band you simply have to see live.

While it would be hard to top the amazing set Philadelphia Grand Jury just produced, more people have joined the party to welcome Brisbane’s Hungry Kids of Hungary to the stage. Out of tonight’s three acts, Hungry Kids of Hungary are surrounded by the most hype, having received high praise for their Big Day Out debut earlier in the year. Playing an array of tracks off their latest EP ‘Mega Mountain’, they bring a different, but just as enduring energy to the Airport Tavern. The whole crowd sings along to favourites ‘Set It Right’ and ‘Arrest This Heart’, while also being introduced to a catalogue of tunes which are no doubt going to see Hungry Kids of Hungary make it right to the top of the Aussie music scene. One of the band member’s dads can be spotted in the corner, proudly filming the performance, and they’ve got more than enough reason to be proud. The musicianship in this band is infectious, unlike so many bands these days, all five musicians on stage have a purpose, and the individual sounds melt together to make every song linger in your mind. Set closer ‘Scattered Diamonds’ isn’t nearly satisfying enough, for as soon as the last note has been played, a chant for an encore can be heard, followed by the mass of people moving from the stage straight to the table where CD’s are being snapped up faster then the latest Hannah Montana soundtrack at JB Hi-fi. Watch this space.

Overall, if tonight is anything to go by, the Australian music scene is continuing to grow before our eyes, producing some world class acts. All three of tonight’s bands have showcased an individual sound and bring their own distinct appeal, however they all have one thing in common – sheer brilliance, and a whole heap of potential.  Not one person has left tonight feeling disappointed or without three new CD’s in tow which will no doubt be put on repeat in the car on the way home. Ah triple j, you’ve done it again.

- Katherine Allan