Old mervs at the roundhouse

Henry Carringtonn-Jones and David House – the twosome that comprises Old Mervs – looked casual and comfortable onstage at the UNSW Roundhouse. It was as if they’d been plucked from the crowd in front of them and instructed to use just an electric guitar and a drum set to expertly command an otherwise empty stage. They succeeded impressively. The two visibly enjoyed creating opportunities to connect with their fans, a cohort that boasted the highest concentration of checkered shirts and boy-bobs in the entire continent of Australia, probably. 

The product of a long lasting childhood friendship, Old Mervs has attracted increasing attention across the country, their growth evident in the success of their recently released self-titled LP and subsequent tour. “This is by far the biggest show we’ve ever played out of home,” House remarked with a mix of pride and gratitude. “It’s a fucking pleasure to get to come out to Sydney,” he added. I’d venture to say that he meant it, and that the band just might have let us know if they actually felt otherwise. Carrington-Jones recalled telling their Adelaide crowd that “the best thing to come out of Adelaide is the road to Perth…They did not like that.”

Old Mervs’ new self-titled album.

The evening began with opening acts Mirca and Jet City Sports Club, the latter of whom is embarking on their first headline tour with shows in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane at the end of the month. Frontwoman Lilla Obradovic remarked to me how much she’s enjoying the opportunity to open for Old Mervs, noting that they’re “hilarious” and “just really good people” with a “wholesome” fanbase to match. Fans were engaged while waiting for the headliners to come onstage, the product of talent like Obradovic and a definitely unique pre-show playlist. (Evidently, nothing gets people ready like a mashup of ‘I Gotta Feeling’ and ‘American Pie.’) 

Emerging onto the stage with their fan favorite ‘Sweetheart,’ the band’s excitement was palpable. The crowd mirrored their enjoyment, as friends climbed onto each other’s shoulders and made endearing (though only minorly successful) attempts at forming a mosh pit. Old Mervs maintained the room’s high energy with their extensive collection of upbeat yet mellow tunes, often reminiscent of Spacey Jane and Sam Fender. They coasted through ‘Out of Luck,’ ‘Where I Go,’ ‘Be There,’ and ‘Forget It,’ pausing in between songs to ask fans for updates on the ongoing AFL match and offer anecdotes from their own lives. Carrington-Jones shared that “it’s great to be back at a university,” and that the venue reminded him of his one year studying medicine before leaving school to pursue music. The crowd eagerly received every detail, offering attention that did not go unnoticed. “When you just say shit, people clap. It’s like the most attention I ever get. I fucking love it,” Carrington-Jones marveled about performing onstage. 

‘How I Met Your Mother’ was an obvious highlight, as House stood alone with his electric guitar onstage during the song’s somber majority. Carrington-Jones joined him for the gratifyingly intense finale, creating an exceptional buildup which both members played vital yet opposite roles in inspiring. Afterwards, Carrington-Jones joked that during the first half of the song he had stepped out for a smoke break and witnessed one couple leaving the venue. “This is gonna be a really shit joke, but I just thought to myself, ‘don’t go.’” David scoffed at the crowd for laughing, admonishing, “don’t cheer for that. That was shit.” 

‘What You’ve Lost’ and ‘Cellphone’ were exceptional, their success as live performances unsurprising. The duo closed with ‘Wait Around,’ bringing “the most special guest ever” onstage for the show’s finale. Carrington-Jones introduced six-year-old Sunny before House hoisted him onto his shoulders, parading him around the stage. Sunny planted himself front and center, standing completely still, repositioning only to gesture shakas for the audience. The crowd was rapturous, though it was hard to say whether anyone was having more fun than the boys onstage. “We’ll see you all whenever we’re back here,” House concluded as the song ended. “I think we’re playing at the SCG next time, is that right?” Carrington-Jones joked. “Yeah, that’s what mum reckons,” House confirmed, walking off the stage to applause loud enough to suggest that, maybe, mothers do know best.