The Vines' Craig Nicholls at SXSW: 'I love life'

The Vines rocked their second SXSW show of the week at Pangea in the early hours of this morning (March 15), playing old hits and new tracks from their long-awaited fourth album.

The Australian four-piece proved why they were so highly hyped in their heyday by performing eardrum-bursting anthem after anthem.

Lead singer Craig Nicholls looked happy and well, and his voice seemed as impressive as it was in the band's early years.

Taking to the stage at 12.15am (CMT), defying the smoking ban throughout the set, Nicholls, wearing a denim jacket and clutching his guitar, howled through the 50-minute set.

Grabbing at his clothes and making hand gestures, Nicholls was ever the enigmatic front man and chatty, too.

In between songs the singer told the crowd how brilliant it felt to be performing live again, saying: "It's great to be back".

In reference to the illness which halted the band's rise earlier in their career, he added: "Thanks everyone for supporting us through all the shit".

Before playing their anthem 'Get Free', Nicholls said: "I love life and I love all the people in it".

The Vines played:

'Jamola'
'Highly Evolved'
'Vision Valley'
'Ride'
'Get Out'
'True Is The Night'
'Outtathaway'
'Get Free'
'Miss Jackson'
'Fuck The World'

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