Review: Old Mervs at Dunsborough Football Club
Old Mervs at Dunsborough Football Club
w/ Fool Nelson, Little Guilt, Polly, Kiera Jas
Saturday, January 24, 2026
Not every band can say they drove their stage hundreds of kilometres just to play a regional show, but that is exactly what Old Mervs did. Rolling into Dunsborough on the back of a custom-built truck, the band transformed the Dunsborough Football Club into something closer to a pop-up street party than a traditional gig. This unique approach to a live show immediately set the night apart, giving it a sense of intimacy and originality that felt genuinely special.
The night opened with Kiera Jas, whose bubbly presence and easy confidence made for a welcoming start. Even with the crowd still building, she held strong rapport and warmed the space effortlessly.
Polly followed as a tight three-piece playing original material that was upbeat and fun. Their set encouraged movement early on, with the crowd visibly loosening up as more people arrived.
Little Guilt were next and quickly made an impression. Their songs were immediately catchy, pulling in listeners who may not have known their music and lifting the overall energy of the night.
By the time Fool Nelson took the stage, the crowd was fully locked in. Their set marked a clear shift in momentum, with people not just listening but actively singing along to songs they clearly knew well. Fool Nelson are a genuinely strong live band: confident, tight, and completely comfortable onstage. Their chemistry translated effortlessly into the crowd, with choruses shouted back at them and bodies moving from start to finish. They played with a polish that suggested experience beyond their years, while still keeping the set lively and exciting. It was a performance that felt assured rather than showy, and one that proved Fool Nelson are building a loyal and engaged following through their live shows.
When Old Mervs climbed onto the truck, the atmosphere shifted instantly. Comprised of David House on guitar and vocals and Henry Carrington-Jones on drums and backing vocals, the lifelong friends from Kojonup looked completely at home in front of a packed Dunsborough crowd. From the first song, the audience sang along at full volume, making it clear just how deeply connected they are to the band.
Tracks like Don’t Go and Everyone Will See It hit especially hard, having featured in triple j’s Hottest 100 earlier that day, a milestone the band acknowledged onstage with genuine excitement. Rather than leaning into hype, Old Mervs stayed grounded, repeatedly thanking the crowd and soaking in the moment. Their set felt polished yet personal, with songs sounding tight and clean while still retaining the warmth and ease that has helped them build such a devoted fanbase.
To close the night, Old Mervs invited Polly back onstage for a cover of MGMT’s Kids. It was unexpected and joyful, bringing the night to an uplifting close that matched the communal energy of the crowd.
Old Mervs On A Truck was not just another regional show. By bringing a truck-mounted stage to Dunsborough, one of only a small number of locations selected for this format, the band delivered a live experience that felt genuinely unique. It was inventive, intimate, and a reminder of how powerful live music can be when artists are willing to do things differently.
MOLLY ELLIOT
Photos by Andrew Briggs
