Nevereverland: Daft Punk, SebastiAn & Kavinsky, The Presets, and Cut Copy @ Riverstage, Brisbane (20/12/07)

Cut Copy

I was pretty keen to see Cut Copy, given all the hype. Cut Copy performed a pretty tight set with major highlights were So Haunted and Hearts on Fire (which incidentally is a song I really like). I am not typically a huge fan of DJ/Dance music, but I can appreciate what these guys are doing. I wouldn’t say they lived up to the hype but most DJ/Dance acts don’t tend to be that entertaining as a stage act.

Performance 6.5
Technical 8.5


The Presets

The Preset delivered a set that was high energy and entertaining to watch. The Preset put a lot into their live performances which is refreshing in Psychedelic / Techno scene. They aren’t tied down to their sound gear and move around the stage which adds to the overall energy of their set. Current single My People was well received, but the biggest highlight was the song that really started it all for these guys Are You The One.

Performance 8.5
Technical 9


SebastiAn & Kavinsky

I didn’t really know much about either of these guys before I saw them on the support list. They have been supporting Daft Punk on this worldwide Alive tour. The only one that I can say got a big reaction from the crowd was their remix Rage Against the Machine’s Killing in the Name. I was a pretty good lead in set for the main act, Daft Punk. They finished their set by playing LCD Soundsystem’s Daft Punk is playing at my House.

Performance 6.5
Technical 9


Daft Punk

The two wondrous robots appear on stage in their giant pyramid, the electro noise slowly starts to make sense. Human. Robot. The crowd is going absolutely nuts in anticipation of what is ahead, slowly it builds and before too long the sounds of Robot Rock are being belted out across a hyped up Riverstage crowd. And the music just doesn’t stop it’s over 30 minutes in before we even get a short break, one track just morphing into the next. This experience is hard to put into words. Firstly you have the music (obviously), they there is the lights, the lasers, the lights, the screens, the lights, the pyramid, the lights, the robot suits. Did I mention the lights? During Television Rules the Nation they drop in the chorus from Around the World as a teaser of what is still to come. Daft Punk did not disappoint, this show was astonishing, life changing even. These guys are up with Muse as a live act (dare I say maybe even better) and I wanted to give them an 11. I really hope that Daft Punk release a DVD of their pyramid shows. When Daft Punk got to Around the World it morphs into Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger with the lyrics flashing up on the massive screens when the track get to the glitch loop section saying “fuck it”, FUCK is flashing on the screen in time with the music. The same thing with the lyrics flashing on the screen in time with music also happened earlier during Technologic. One More Time was simply amazing and the crowd was going ballistic likewise for Da Funk. Wait, who am I trying to kid? The whole show was just one colossal high. Just when you thought the stimulation had reached its highest point the robots come back out for an encore but this time there isn’t a heap of flashing lights, instead total darkness and the robots suits light up (as per picture above). They play about a 10 minute track which includes Human After All, Together, One More Time (Reprise), Music Sounds Better With You. I was buzzing so much after this concert that I only got about 4 hours sleep, and I was still smiling like a git for days afterwards. I will definitely be seeing these guys again if I have the chance. Come back soon.

Performance 10
Technical 10

Amanda Palmer with The Danger Ensemble, The Red Paintings, Emma Dean, and The Follow @ The Zoo, Fortitude Valley (19/12/07)

The Follow

Amanda Palmer liked The Follow that much that she dragged them up to Brisbane to support her at The Zoo and gave them a personal introduction. The Follow’s music is best described simply as alternative rock. I can see why Amanda Palmer likes them, and they deliver a very energetic performance. Highlight song was the slightly more poppy Happy Now which is featured on their EP “Hope You’re Happy”.

Performance 6.5
Technical 5


Emma Dean

Emma Dean has been building quite the fan base during 2006 and 2007 since departing from Kate Miller-Heidke’s band. Emma Dean has an alternative pop folk sound, similar to Kate Miller-Heidke but with her own uniqueness. 3 Meals is very similar to some of Kate Miller-Heidke’s more recent songs like Words. Her performance style is similar to Kate in the way that she comes across a bit cheeky between songs and enchanting during the songs. This combined with her immense confidence on stage, this all adds up to a greatly entertaining set. Surprisingly the sound was pretty good (very good if you compare it to The Zoo’s usual subpar sound).

Performance 7.5
Technical 7


The Red Paintings

I need to more of The Red Painting in my life. I always say that after seeing The Red Paintings, but I very rarely do anything about it. The Red Paintings combine classically driven stings with psychedelic rock and Trash Mcsweeney’s haunting vocals that are similar to Placebo’s Brian Molko earlier releases. When you see The Red Paintings’ live performance there is much more to experience than just their music. There are elaborate costumes, artists creating their art works (David Hooper from CBD Gallery on this occasion), and usually something else special and tonight that was burlesque performer Miss Bertie who performed throughout the set. The Red Paintings are real treat to see live. Sound was still surprisingly good. The strings ended up a bit buried on a couple of tracks under all the heavier rock. I was shocked that they didn’t play Mad World during their set but I wasn’t disappointed as Trash Mcsweeney and Amanda Palmer performed it at the end of the night as a lovely haunting duet.

Performance 8.5
Technical 6.5


Amanda Palmer with The Danger Ensemble

Amanda Palmer (of The Dresden Dolls) was in Australia to promote her soon to be release debut solo album “Who Killed Amanda Palmer” produced by Ben Folds after he sent her some fan mail. In keeping with the theme of this release, a dead Amanda Palmer was carried out onto the stage and propped up in front of the microphone that slowly came to life as the music built up around her. Amanda Palmer is an excellent stage performer her performance was full of attitude and theatrical to watch. Amanda has a natural openness that makes her live performances feel so relaxed. The set was filled with songs from the upcoming solo release as well as The Dresden Doll’s classics and a few covers. Coin Operated Boy was probably the crowd highlight. Amanda was joined on stage throughout the set by The Danger Ensemble who provided the performance art, dance and mime. The crowd went absolutely crazy when Amanda Palmer performed a hilarious cover of Rihanna’s “hit” Umbrella, complete with umbrella dancers. Amanda got a huge response to her sing-along ukulele cover of Radiohead’s Creep. But if I had to pick one song of the night, it would have to be the very last song of which was the evocative cover of Roland Orzabal’s Mad World. This show was amazing and Amanda Palmer put everything she had into it.

Performance 9.5
Technical 7.5

Kate Miller-Heidke with Dead Letter Chorus, and Tjupurra @ The Tivoli, Fortitude Valley (09/12/07)

Ah reserved seating upstairs at The Tivoli, well worth the extra money.

Tjupurra
Couldn’t find a website, Indigenous musician Tjupurra is best described as the David Ford of didgeridoos. Well its sort of a didgeridoo, but its length was adjustable (a didgeribone, or a trombidoo maybe). Using loops and playbacks he managed to create some amazing sounds at one point you could have sworn he was playing a guitar. Anyway he was quite entertaining to watch and made good use of humour between songs, although it did take me a little while to get into it. Only one word can be used to describe Tjupurra, “deadly”.

Performance 6.5
Technical 6


Dead Letter Chorus

I was excited to finally see Dead Letter Chorus. Unfortunately I was murderously let down by the sheer incompetence of the sound technician. I can’t express how disappointed I was. The Tivoli renowned as one of the best live music venues in Brisbane and one that I rave about technical sound quality. Dead Letter Chorus did put on a good performance. The mixing wasn’t all bad except we were getting blasted by and over amped drum kit. I was mainly to do with the fact that the volume was just far too loud. Also I am sad to report that there were feedback issues and the sound technician did nothing to try and rectify the situation. I hate it when the technical work is this bad because it takes away from the band’s overall performance. I do want to see these guys again, as long as it’s not the sound technicians goal to make everyone’s ears bleed.

Performance 6.5
Technical 4


Kate Miller-Heidke

The 4 months (or so) of solid on the road constant touring has obviously taken its toll on Kate Miller-Heidke and her voice. Her performance was still outstanding and full of energy, which is a huge testament in its own. Kate just wasn’t at her best. Kate’s set was what has become pretty standard opening with Little Adam and closing with Space They Cannot Touch. I am going to steal a quote from the Kate Miller-Heidke forum.

“After Little Adam she said that when she was in NSW a girl came up to he after the show and asked what the song was about. Kate told her it was God writing a letter to Adam. The girl looked blank.
Kate: "You know, Adam and Eve from the Bible." The girl still looked totally blank and confused.
Kate: "Actually it's about a little retarded boy called Adam who is downstairs playing with himself."
Girl: "That's EXACTLY what I thought it was about!!"”

You’re the voice was fantastic, as well at Kier and Sally’s Speed of Red Intermission as always. Thank god it was a different sound technician on for Kate, although I suspect that lighting technician might have still been in training it was only a bit off but still good.

Performance 8
Technical 8

Rooftop Nightwatch @ The Zoo, Fortitude Valley (29/11/07)

Firstly there were other bands on that night, but it was mid week, I was tired, feeling antisocial, and I was really only there to see Rooftop Nightwatch.

Rooftop Nightwatch

Since my last review Rooftop Nightwatch they have become more comfortable with performing live. They seemed quite relaxed on stage but I think they might have been shitting themselves on the inside at landing a gig at The Zoo so early in their short history (debut gig at Ric’s was only in August). Pat and Mellissa’s vocals complement each other well. All the members play their instruments with care and what at time looks a bit like restraint, resulting sound is quite unique. I enjoy the subtly of Rooftop Nightwatch’s music. This is one Brisbane indie pop group to keep your eye on in 2008 with there EP to be released sometime (hopefully) early in 2008.

Performance 6.5
Technical 6.5

Muse with The Checks @ Riverstage, Brisbane (21/11/07)

The Checks

The Checks are a rock band from New Zealand, this could have been a big break for these guys, touring with Muse, however they failed to impress. The Checks are best described like a bad version of Jet, and remember Jet isn’t all that good one could go as far as mediocre. I was impressed with the sound quality. (Afterthought, maybe Muse chooses a really bad support band to make them look even better, and the support even worse.)

Performance 4.5
Technical 7.5


Muse

I thought Muse was more than impressive at the Big Day Out and that was just a festival performance. (Festivals act as good samplers, always better to see a headlining show.) My expectations were set really high for this concert, and Muse didn’t fail to smash through them and go way beyond my expectations. The stage was set up with a grand piano with a clear Perspex lid to minimise impact on the supermassive screens, lights and visual show. Even the drum kit was clear to allow the audience the chance to see Dominic Howard at work. The set list was epic, just when you thought they couldn’t take it any further they still managed to take it to the next level.

Take a Bow
Map of the Problematic + Maggie's Farm outro
New Born+ Microphone Fiend riff + Ashamed outro
Butterflies & Hurricanes
Microcuts +riff
Supermassive Black Hole
Feeling Good (cover)
Ruled by Secrecy
Soldiers' Poem
Invincible
Hysteria
Fury + Whole Lotta Love riff)
Starlight
Time is Running Out
Stockholm Syndrome

Plug in Baby (balloons released)
Deadstar riff + Hypermusic riff
Knights of Cydonia (release the CO2)

Truly an amazing show! Matthew Bellamy vocal talent is amazing. This live show showed off everything that is good about Matt’s vocals, his range, his control. It just looks so simple and natural. The use of all the equipment only enhances the experience you might think that screens, lights, balloons and a truly epic release of co2 at the end might be distracting from the music. Well you would be wrong! The strike a superb balance and well timed musical and visual stimulation that just makes you wide eyed, smile from ear to ear, and just taking you to the point before you are about explode from the sheer awesomeness, and holding you their for the entire show.

The cover of Feeling Good gives Matt the real chance to show off his amazing vocal talent, showing off both control and range. Describing these guys music as progressive just doesn’t even cut it. They combine so many genres and styles of music. {Insert insightful detailed music break down here if you can find one.} Matt’s piano skills are quite amazing (would not surprise me to find out he is classically trained), as well as, the at times unorthodox technique with the guitar. When does a musician or group of musicians know that they have achieved the following transitions from, simple musicians, to rock stars, to revolutionaries, to rock gods? Provided Muse continue to produce their truly outstanding progressive (I know it doesn’t cut it) music and back it up with absolutely epic live concerts, I believe Muse who are definite revolutionaries are destine to be rock gods.

Muse has broken my scale yet again, however deserving of 11 the scale only goes to 10. There was one ever so minor glitch with the mixing early on but it was quickly rectified. No recording does Muse justice to them compared to their live performance, and I really love their albums too.

Performance 10
Technical 9.5

Bill Callahan (aka Smog) with The Small Knives, Chris Pickering, and Shiver Like Timber @ The Troubadour, Fortitude Valley (03/11/07)

Firstly, The Troubadour is a fantastic venue which I don’t attend nearly enough. Everyone needs more Troubadour gig’s in their lives.

Shiver Like Timber

Shiver Like Timber tries to warm the crowd up with some minimalist solo folk combining only her electric guitar and her vocals. I can’t quite decide whether I like her vocal style or not. I quite liked the track called Wandertumble. Shiver Like Timber is an act that you would have to make up your own mind about because I haven’t at this point. There is potential but it needs some work or something.

Performance 5.5
Technical 7.5


Chris Pickering

Chris Pickering performed a solo set accompanying his vocals with his guitar and harmonica. Chris Pickering’s inherent alternate country style captivates the fast growing Troubadour crowd. The thing I like the most about The Troubadour is that it attracts a respectful and intimate audience. This is the case during Chris Pickering’s set and the crowd warms to him quite well. Chris’s set finishes with a huge round of applause from the now almost full-to-capacity Troubadour.

Performance 6.5
Technical 7.5


The Small Knives

The Small Knives from Melbourne play to a restless crowd as it is now getting late and people are eager to see the main act for the night. The chatter of the crowd builds during their set but they push though with what is a pretty tight performance. The Small Knives are a folk group with pop influences. I am sure I would have enjoyed this set more if I myself wasn’t starting to get tired and restless and wanted to see the headlining act for the night. As a reviewer pointed out on FasterLouder, The Small Knives have a very similar sound to Norwegian band “Kings of Convenience”.

Performance 6
Technical 7


Bill Callahan (formerly Smog)

I went into this gig having not heard much of Callahan’s discography. I went purely on a friend’s recommendation. Since seeing him live, I have spent a bit of time researching and listening to some of his earlier works. Bill Callahan’s music has an elegant and simplistic feel that is reminiscent of his former Smog days however this newer material incorporates a greater depth of instrumentation. Bill Callahan and his single small acoustic guitar is joined on stage by three female violinist who double as backing vocalists on some tracks, a bass guitar player and a drummer. The band never attracts your attention away from Callahan’s guitar and vocals, rather providing simply subtleties that bring depth whilst still maintaining that simple and natural feel. Diamond Dancer and Sycamore are set highlights from the latest release Woke on a Whaleheart. Other highlights from the two hour (from 11pm to 1am) long set included, Teenage Spaceship, Rock Bottom Riser, and Cold Blooded Old Times. The Troubadour’s sound gear held up surprisingly well to Bill Callahan strong and commanding baritone vocals.

Performance 9
Technical 9

Josh Pyke with 78 Saab, and Whitley @ Concert Hall, QPAC, South Bank (01/11/07)

Whitley

Whitley warmed the crowd up with his subtle country folk sounds, a good opener for Josh Pyke. However I was too excited about seeing Josh Pyke in the QPAC Concert Hall to take too much of Whitley’s set in. I would definitely like to see Whitley perform at The Troubadour sometime. I Remember is an absolutely lovely song and getting some well deserved air time on triple j.

Performance 7
Technical 10


78 Saab

78 Saab seemed a bit of a strange choice for this bill to me. Their performance was good but didn’t really fit in with the feel of the evening. 78 Saab have been around the Australian indie rock scene for quite sometime now (over 10 years I believe). I am sure I would have been a lot more interested in 78 Saab’s set if it wasn’t put between Whitley and Josh Pyke. I can’t see me going out of my way to see 78 Saab again soon. It’s not that they aren’t any good (far from it), I am just not that into their music. Overall their performance was good, with only a very minor technical problem.

Performance 6.5
Technical 9.5


Josh Pyke

I have seen Josh Pyke a couple of times now and he acts just keep getting classer and classer. Firstly by stepping out of The Zoo to The Tivoli and now performing in the Concert Hall at QPAC. There were back drops, UV lights, stage props and backgrounds. Josh Pyke did mention that Monkey with a Drum Tour would be special and he didn’t disappoint. Josh seems much more comfortable on stage, and I don’t think he believed that he could sell out the Concert Hall. Josh interacted with crowd with some story telling of his home life. One of which was about when he purchased a piece of furniture from Ikea for his wife. He got the right style/model but the only problem was that he got the wrong colour. Josh didn’t even like this piece of furniture and his wife hated the colour, so now they are stuff with this thing that neither of them like. Anyway the set was good, Josh previewed some new tracks that he had been working on and they had a slightly more country/folk sound which was great. Sound was great naturally. It’s great to see a live act in a room with the acoustics specially designed for that that purpose.

Performance 9.5
Technical 10