Sydney, Australia
Ahh the opening act. The poor bunch of sods who play to no one, yet pretend that those three people at the back corner of the room (probably bar staff) really give a shit. It's unfortunate but a fact of life for any band. The trick is to make that time playing first supports as short as possible. One band this shouldn't be a problem for is The Small Hours opening tonight for Dappled Cities and Belles Will Ring. After a heart felt email to a number of Sydney bloggers begging for us to make the show early, one is left feeling slightly sympathetic to the cause and is swayed to attend. In fact, The Small Hours were even so nice as to send us a copy of their demo (hard copies will be handed out free tonight). Three excellent well-written folky pop songs. It's impressive for a group of 18 year olds (? - I'm guessing from their myspace site 'The Small Hours have just become legal'.)
So on the back of the email and the excellent three songs, I will be there with Belles on (pardon my pun).

Playing tonight at the Hoey. (Also, as I said, a short time at the opening slot: they're headlining their first show next Wednesday at the same venue)