Venue: The Regent Theatre, Melbourne
Date: 12th November 2012
Reviewed By: Espylyn
The beautiful Regent Theatre in Melbourne looks stunning tonight as the punters that entered the venue may not look like the typical theatre goers. Lots of black outfits, tattoo’s, shaped and coloured hair styles, studs and chains along with loads of smiles and laughter followed as we all entered the theatre and took our seats. Not to be left out are the older generation and perhaps a few casual theatre goers. Around me, the glorious chandeliers, the patterned walls, the adorning curtains and carpet all make the Regent appealing and atmospheric.
The stage was already adorned with instruments and was looking very full by the time I arrived. I sat down to find a young child in front of me (for an 18+ show!?) but that allowed me to have a good view of the entire stage as tonight is not only about Mike Patton but the orchestra he has built to support his Mondo Cane sensation.
After two albums that have drawn comparisons to his earlier work by Mr Bungle and Fantomas, the Mondo Cane album hit number 2 on the USA charts as well as charting in Europe. Patton married Italian artist, Titi Zuccatosta and has adopted Bologna as his home and from there he explored his surrounding which of course meant a great deal of musical influences. Fluent in Italian he listened to a variety of music and was inspired by singers of the 1950’s that used orchestra for backing songs and after duelling with the idea of a small band he had the chance to compose the music for an orchestra and this became Mondo Cane. No doubt this style of music has brought forth the usual army of Patton fans as well as the new fans that have discovered this music with glee. No doubt a few parents will be happy with their kid’s choice this time around!
Patton sung with style and grace, occasionally whipping out the megaphone or the siren and other times casually sitting or standing whilst the band takes helm around him. The Sydney Orchestra on strings, Tim Burton’s (sic) brother on keys, a percussionist that made some unusual noises by placing objects in his mouth, a drummer that was mellow when needed and who rocked out other times, a flautist who teased us a few times with the start of the tune Down Under (Men At Work) as well as a keyboardist, bassist and a conductor keeping everyone in check. I’m sure I’ve left someone out so apologies for that. Three backing female singers sung in beautiful harmonies and really added that zing to the band and as I watched all the band members, I couldn’t help but notice the smiling faces all around, obviously enjoying the music and being on stage with Patton.
It was most definitely a crowd that seemed happy to sit in the seats, and I felt, that this band isn't a variety of tunes to mosh or dance too but to enjoy, and I feel Patton didn’t perhaps get this at times. His energy at times seemed dark and although this may be typical Patton style, it wasn’t all typical Patton listeners tonight. True fans (or drunk fans) heckled to the audience swearing out for everyone to stand up and even told Patton off for only playing one hour, after encore. Luckily he smiled and continued on, adorned in a white suit and shirt and that slick backed hair, he graced the stage for about an hour and a half and took us on a journey through a mainly Italian torrent of cuisine.
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