Thursday, December 13, 2012

Birds Of Tokyo - Ormond Hall Review

Band: Birds of Tokyo
Venue: Ormond Hall, Melbourne
Date: 6th December 2012
Reviewed By: Espylyn


 

Birds of Tokyo have been around for quite a few years now, since their debut in Perth in 2004 and after releasing two EP’s, they released their first full length album in 2006 titled Day One After extensive touring they released a second titled album, Universes which was recorded in LA and has won many accolades. The band then embarked on a Broken Strings tour in 2009, which had a selection of their music accompanied by a string quartet and grand piano and this production blew the minds of their fans and no doubt developed a new string of devotees. Move ahead to 2011 and a third album, Birds of Tokyo make their mark again with the public and the band play smaller venues around Australia to keep rocking but at a more intimate level. At present the boys have released an EP, This Fire (contains four tracks), which is a selection of songs off their fourth studio album, released soon, very soon.

 


‘Welcome to this amazing room, fucking amazing’ Ian Kenny (singer) states as he opens the show with “Broken Bones” that leads the path into the total mind destruction of the Ormond Hall punters tonight. Its almost a surreal experience as watching the band on stage, I can’t help but feel they look a little out of place and that a high school theatre play would look more the part. It’s certainly a beautiful venue with a small amount of seating upstairs (not comfortable seats) and great space downstairs with an atmospheric side bar and a beer garden. Inside, the place certainly wasn’t packed which was a nice change; punters could dance and watch the band without being crushed.

 

The light show tonight is amazing, one of the best I’ve seen in a while due to the loads of different coloured lights rotating in sync to the songs, a few rotten pink ones that burned my retina, and some magical blue lights that streamed through smoke in one direction up to the roof; just amazing. Next up, “Wild Eyed Boy” is a crowd pleaser –punters raise their arms and sing along to every word – yep Birds of Tokyo have got some really dedicated fans that soak in the bands sound.

 

“Silhouettic” brings forth Kenny action, swizzling those hips and swinging those arms whilst looking great up on stage. Adam Spark (guitar) grooves into “The Saddest Thing I Know” which is a catchy and graceful song even though the title doesn’t make it out to be. “The Gap” starts and the crowd roars, Adam Weston (drums) bring the beat up and Glenn Sarangapany (keys) bouncers those babies as though he sleeps with them! It’s a song of gold, an amalgamation of sound and a blend of vocal purity.  “Circle” brings the crowd down to a slower pace as Kenny’s vocals pour out into the hall as the sound resonates through each of us, what a voice he has. Other songs played tonight are “Murmurs”, “Plans”, “Wild At Heart” and a few new songs from the up and coming album such as “The Lake” (soft, mellow tune with great big drum sound) and the final song tonight (the EP title) “That Fire” which brought the crowd into a frenzy. Ian Berney (bass) pulling some great bass moves whilst Sarangapany hops up on the keys and plays them with feet and fingers! The night finished up with a cracker of a light show - then its hall lights up and time to go home.

 
as seen on www.aureview.com.au

 




 

 

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Triple Threat - The Church, Devo and Simple Minds live at The Palais Theatre

Band: Simple Minds with The Church and Devo
Venue: The Palais Theatre
Date: Friday November 30th, 2012
Reviewed By: Espylyn

 
The Church opened the night with a half hour performance of classic hits and a solid crowd came out for our Aussie favourite’s. I did hear people around me say they were here to hear Under The Milky Way for the first time ever, so it just proves how a song has melted into the hearts over such a lengthy time.

The next band on are Devo, and I must add the stage was transformed in record time, and by now the theatre was warming up. Devo hats and punters dressed in Devo themed outfits stole the night and remained a talking point for many. Roughly fifteen songs fit the bill tonight in one hour and the crowd was not disappointed. We Are Not Men got the crowd up in their seats as the lights behind stage added the words ‘We Are Devo’. A tremendous light show tonight for Devo throughout the set, together with outfit changes, hat throwing and the classic hit Whip It that tore through the crowd. Devo Corporate Anthem finished the night and had the crowd pumped for the headline act. I feel the Devotees went home happy tonight.

Simple Minds came out through a tone of smoke and Jim Kerr’s voice was drowned by the instruments. Put this together with one extremely warm room (due to the night outside) and it just didn’t sit right. I heard punters complaining and eventually Kerr’s vocals were lifted towards the end and you could hear him over the music. Maybe the technicians need their ears cleaned as listening to a show where you strain to hear the vocals isn’t pleasant, especially with a band like Simple Minds. I do add that many punters seemed not to notice and remained pumped throughout the set.

I Travel started the night and had most people up dancing and Love Song fuelled more sparks on the fire and pushed the sound barrier. Around, Don’t You Forget About Me, the music was feeling the strain of being way too loud. I noticed many people leave their seats and although I could see management speak to the technicians, nothing was done for a few more songs by the technicians, and then, finally, Kerr’s vocals could be heard. Sanctify Yourself had just under three thousand people dancing and then the night ended on Alive and Kicking. As Australia was the first country to embrace the band, Jim Kerr said he felt blessed to be playing here again. Other songs tonight are This Fear of Gods, The American, Celebrate, Promised You A Miracle and Waterfront.

Both Devo and Simple Mind’s sets are recorded tonight for collection straight after the show, a great idea!