Crowdsurfing, DIY light shows and surgical masks: our Issue 4 launch party had a little bit of everything

Featuring 5 of Sydney’s best up-and-coming bands, the Happy Mag Issue 4 launch made for a ripper night on the tail end of King St.

How did you kick off the long weekend? We were at Underproof, the official launch of Happy Mag Issue 4. Taking place at The Botany View Hotel on South King St, it was a night for the ages.

Underproof celebrated the emerging talent we love so much, calling 5 of our favourite bands under 500 Facebook likes together on one night for a rowdy show. This round included WAWAWOW, Dives, The Uplifting Bell Ends, Nick Nuisance & The Delinquents and Gauci.

WAWAWOW kicked things off with a big bang, flying us to the outer reaches and back after opening their set with single Space Invader. Dives brought it back down to earth, a swelling, watery set that was just too easy to drift away to.

The Uplifting Bell Ends brought us… somewhere. Wrapped in motorcycle helmets, turtlenecks and a smattering of everybody’s favourite primary school instrument, the recorder, these group of dudes slung out a creeping rock set that totally climbed up our pants. Would see again.

Nick Nuisance & The Delinquents decided to push The Botany View to its limits, turning the tight-knit dancefloor into a mosh complete with falls, stage dives and a healthy amount of crowdsurfing.

Lastly, Gauci dropped in, mysteriously garbed in surgical masks. They closed the night with a piece of groove for the ages, a pumping disco set which primed the crowd for the turntable entertainment that followed.

If you were there, thanks for coming. We had a wicked night, and hope you did as well.

See you next time.

Didn’t make the launch? Grab your copy of Happy Mag Issue 4 here. 

Big thanks to Jack Stillman for the photos, and our sponsors Audio Technica and The Gum Ball for making the night happen,.