Last week Dappled Cities Fly and Red Riders co-headlined a sold out show at The Metro in Sydney. I took pictures.

It was quite an occasion, one which marks a high point in the rise of each band.

Sydney bands tend to start their lives by playing a gig at a smallish venue like The Excelsior or The Hopetoun, if they graduate from that they may play at Spectrum, Candys or The Annandale. The next step might be The Gaelic Club and if they’ve really got things going for them, The Metro.

After that it’s a game of diminishing returns. If you move on to The Enmore or the Hordern Pavillion or even the Entertainment Centre, it’s not so fun to watch anymore. The Metro holds about a thousand people, which is about the biggest size to still feel intimate and comfortable. It’s a well designed room which has seen some incredible gigs in it’s time.

Once a band can sell out The Metro it’s a bit of a hallmark moment in their career. And so it was for Sydney bands Dappled Cities and Red Riders.

After triumphant sets, both bands came back on stage to cover Guns’n’Roses November Rain. It was awesome. Sean has video.

I’m not sure what’s next for Red Riders, but Dappled Cities are soon to migrate to the US. They’ve got support tours lined up with Tokyo Police Club and The Fratellis. Exciting times.

You can read Tim’s tour diary of their last trip to America when i briefly crossed their path.

Not to be forgotten was fabulous supporting act Belles Will Ring. They’re about to embark on their own tour soon.