The iconic Australian rock outfit, made up of Chris Cheney, Scott Owen and Andy Strachan, played a tight set consisting of entirely new songs at Karova Lounge.

The act was road testing the new material in anticipation of a new record rumoured to be released later this year.

Earlier this month they announced on their website they would be playing four secret shows around the state. Last night they opened for Ballarat act Howl, who are currently on tour with Children Collide.

Howl guitarist John Crawford admitted the band had no idea about the surprise show until an hour before they were due to go on.

"It's upsetting because they were so good they will probably show us up,'' he joked.

Although they did not play any of their famous songs, such as Prisoner of Society or White Noise, fans said they were not disappointed.

"I didn't recognise them at first but when I did I was shocked,'' Ballarat's Bodey Dittloff said.

The Living End will be playing a range of summer festivals, including Sunset Sounds, Falls Festival and Southbound.