Earlier this spring, Australian post-punk band dust played a killer set in Washington D.C. at the Songbyrd. The band teamed up with fellow Australian indie rockers, The Belair Lip Bombs, for a North American Tour.
I was in town to see another concert and was not expecting to catch this show, but fate landed me there!
Formed in Newcastle, Australia, dust has built a reputation for blending post-punk intensity with unexpected touches like saxophone. Their latest album, Sky Is Falling, showcases a band that feels equally comfortable writing chaotic live anthems and dreamy, layered tracks.
From start to finish, dust played an exceptional set. The band came out with mellow, yet strong energy that continuously built as they approached their last songs.
I was not expecting the urge to mosh to be as strong as it was, however, it seemed like this particular crowd was not really into that kind of thing. That was totally okay—everyone was still bobbing their heads and grooving to the music.
Even though it didn’t happen at this show, I’m sure that dust can get a good mosh pit going. dust’s explosive sound made it easy to imagine these same songs sparking a full-blown pit elsewhere.
After seeing dust live at the Songbyrd, their latest album has been on repeat. If you like a mixture of high energy punk with a dash of jazz, I’d highly recommend Sky Is Falling. My favorite tracks are “Swamped” and “Alastair”—two songs that showcase very different sides of the band’s sound.
If this show was any indication, dust has all the ingredients to continue building a following far beyond Australia. Hopefully it won’t be long before they’re back in the States.
