Amy Shark 'See U Somewhere Tour' @ The Art House, Wyong June 29 2022

THE LOVE MONSTER IS BACK!

Tonight, we’re here to talk about love and intimacy, as after-all, this is the most intimate show yet on the tour. I’m sure this sensational Love Monster needs no introduction, but I’m sure she’d love one anyway, and if not, well, tell her I Said Hi. So C’Mon, Everybody Rise like the excitement and anticipation here tonight for…

Amy Shark! …or at least that’s the name on the neon sign as the stage’s backdrop my friend tells me, just in case we had any doubt of who we were here to see. This reminds me of the beginning of an adult film warning that the following film may contain sexually explicit content… uhm, may?! Moving right along, even before the lights go out and Amy and her band take over the stage, the energy in this intimate theatre is electric and full of keen anticipation, made even greater I suspect, from the concert dry-spell thanks to COVID.

Will tonight meet our expectations and alleviate our musical-frustrations?

When the lights finally go out and the action begins, we’re assaulted with a colossal burst of full-band energy that sends the energy up to 11 straight off the starting line! I’m left, however, with a fear, “oh no, I can’t hear Amy’s vocals, have they messed up the sound mix?”... Then Amy apparently walks out onto the stage to start the first song… by the way, did I mention I’m blind?

Amy opens with a fan favourite with the perfect opening attention-commanding essence, ‘Everybody Rise’. The sound mix? No, they most certainly did NOT mess it up! I’m blown away with how not just good, but incredible, clear and balanced the sounds are with Amy’s potent voice penetrating the audience and resonating throughout! Starting off softly and slowly clearly isn’t Amy’s vibe, not with the way she prowls the stage with ease and confidence like a lioness, leaving the audience her obedient purring kitties, ready to do her bidding, like when she riles us up in the bridge section, to build up for a climactic finish!

After the second song, Amy greets us and talks us through what she’ll do to us tonight and that this isn’t your typical concert! (I do love a girl who’s straight up with what she’ll do). She tells us how there’ll be highs, lows, happiness, sorrow and then she’ll pounce when we’re not expecting it… or at least along those lines.

The next few songs do pretty much that, we’re dropped into nostalgic bittersweet depths with ‘Miss You’, then charged full-force out of the depths with ‘Blood Brothers’. ‘Blood Brothers’ is bright, playful and sweet like cherry blossoms… if you think that’s a weird thing to say then you really are new to my writing! Then Amy tops off the elevated vibe perfectly with some vocal cheekiness to get a reaction from us.

Then Amy tells us how every day when she wakes up, she just knows what kind of day she’ll have, and this next song was about one of those days when she woke up and “I just knew that today was going to be a shit day”. ‘Worst Day Of My Life’ keeps the musical energy ramped up pleasantly, whilst giving a somber lyrical paradox, which transitions nicely into the next song before introducing an enticing dark swagger feel, then stripping everything down for ‘Never Meet Anyone Like Me Again’ with Amy on an acoustic guitar which, wow! Her voice is so incredibly potent and beautiful and is perfectly demonstrated in this song!

I find that if an artist/band talks after every song it often tends to mess up the rhythm and flow of the gig. Amy however, talks to us in a perfect mix of rehearsed stories, and natural chatting, like how the next song, ‘Psycho’, (I didn’t know Amy wrote a song about me?) features Mark Hoppus from Blink 182 who is like, her all time favourite band! This is followed up by another song featuring a member of Blink 182, this time, one of the greatest drummers of all time, Travis Barker in ‘C’Mon’. Amy informs us that sadly Travis isn’t here, he’s with the Kardashians, then, just to soften the blow to her drummer uses this opportunity to introduce her band, including one of the best drummers in Australia. This is a little like a woman saying to her partner “baby you did great, really, you did”. I’m no drumming expert but I am very fond of the song ‘C’Mon’ and I honestly think the drummer tonight out performed Travis and put that extra heart-wrenching force behind the lyrics that drove the emotion home that much harder! As for ‘Psycho’ Amy played Mark’s part perfectly which didn’t leave any empty spaces in the song for not having Mark, and having these two songs back-to-back, as different as they are, go down perfectly with the audience!

You know how we’re talking about intimacy tonight? Well it’s not JUST me being a cheeky dork, the show tonight really is intimate, from the venue to Amy sharing hilarious, personal and serious stories about herself between her lyrically and musically emotive songs, you really do get a feeling of getting to know Amy in-depth, which really does make tonight feel special. Even to the point where Amy confesses that she doesn’t like encores, she find them a little bit cheeky, so she tells us that she’ll tell us this is the last song, then they’ll walk off stage, have a sip of beer, catch their breath, then we’ll all chant her name because it’s good for her self esteem, then they’ll come back out and play three of the biggest songs she’s ever released. Again, I love a woman that’s straight-up with what she’ll do!

The “encore” plays out just like that and is hilarious at how accurate to other concerts it is! What’s also hilarious is Amy’s story of not-so casually dropping how she recorded with Ed Sheeran “no big deal, Eddie, as I’ve got him saved in my phone”, into the story of winning over an Aunty-in-law who previously despised her, that she recorded a song with the Aunties Kyryptonite Keith Urban, and suddenly the Aunty was next to her at the table leaning in, “about to make-out”. And yes, Amy finishes with her massive hit ‘I Said Hi’ which after the incredible energy build up leading to this moment, has us all singing along at the top of our lungs and on our feet!

For me personally, this show was just what I needed after a stressful few days to take my mind off everything and leave a smile on my face! I honestly can’t fault the show tonight. The sound was incredible from both the venue and the performers, the setlist including placement of songs for the flow of energy and Amy’s charisma!

If anyone disagrees and has anything negative to say about the show or this review, well… 

Just tell them I Said Hi.

Atreyu 'In Our Wake' Album Tour, Sydney, February 27 2020

THE TIME IS NOW!

“Everyone leaves a legacy no matter how big or small”, so when our time’s up, what will we leave in our wake? With the earth being plagued with recent pestilence (the deadly strand of Coronavirus), war, famine and ultimately, death, not to mention the recent catastrophic bushfires then flooding in Australia, you’d think the four horseman have risen and it really is armageddon!

So it’s a good thing U.S Metalcore godfathers Atreyu have raised the question of what will we leave in our wake with their latest album ‘In Our Wake’.

You may not think now is the time for such questions, but yes, the time is now... 

In all the chaos in the wake of this concert, I’ve had time to reflect and put this show into perspective. When I recently spoke to drummer and vocalist Brandon (listen to the full interview here) and asked, “when you come out onto the stage, what do you give fans that other metal bands don’t?” Brandon told me “for us music is a place where we can go and let our guard down, and kind of, be vulnerable, kind of, show our insides a bit, we want people to be able to do the same thing at our shows. I think a lot of metal shows or heavy music is very serious and whatever, we’re very lighthearted on stage it’s a very fun atmosphere I think that, we want to give that open door for people to just come and lose their s***”. So, was shit lost?... figuratively, not literally.

For starters, before doors open, I notice that the queue of fans waiting to enter isn’t exactly extensive, and those of here seem quite calm and unsurprisingly, I hear talk of VOCID19, so has this scared fans away and put a damp blanket on the night?

Secondly, this venue plays host to many heavy genre performances, and I’ve got to know the typical sound here, it’s like a natural ruby, red-hot, dense, has many layers but can often bare too many imperfections (in this case commonly too much bass) and generally is clear, but still gritty.

Thirdly, typically the opening song will be the first song off the bands’ touring album, and the grand finale will be their greatest hit, so in this case, ‘In Our Wake’ and ‘Becoming The Bull’ respectively?

So, is this a clear but gritty little gem that makes us lose our s***?

In a nutshell, yes, much s*** was lost! The band did not however, fulfill my prediction of the opening and closing songs however, instead, they chose the placement of the songs throughout the show according to the rise and fall of energy it would seem, which is in my opinion, a far more effective move, as if you’ve paid to see a band who has more than one “hit”, chances are no matter what, everyone’s gonna stick around until the very end anyway, whether you leave your best to last or not. So when they open the show with ‘The Time Is Now’... any guesses as to what was lost?

Despite my observation earlier of a laxed queue, the venue is absolutely packed now thankfully, also thankfully, people are politely and respectfully losing their s***, they’re dancing, jumping and singing along, which the latter does render the sound mix hard to hear the bands’ vocals at times, but all in all is a pretty top-quality sound mix. Even when a band member steps off the stage and onto the step of the barricade to engage fans, people are still letting everyone around them, you know, breathe and stay alive.

Currently as I write this two weeks later, thinking back over the concert going over my notes, it brings a smile to my face and gives me a warm refreshing respite from the stress and gloom of the COVID19 outbreak, which has been making me lose my s*** in a whole other way.

So whether it is the anthemic sing alongs, the intense energy the entire band dished out from start to finish, the flow of energy from song to song or the addition of a brilliant cover of Bon Jovi’s ‘You Give Love A Bad Name’, which brings the singing along to a whole new height, or all the above, Brandon was true to his word and gave us all the open door for us to let our guard down, and lose our s***. 

Now that's what sets Atreyu apart from other heavy metal bands!

The Amity Affliction - UOW Unibar, Wollongong NSW AU, January 24 2020

FEELING ALL F****D UP?…

How do you feel? Are you okay? What happens when you’re not? When you feel all f****d up, you think to yourself “all I do is sink into my impending coffin”....

What do you do?...

Even those at the height of their euphoria, surely are affected too as the dramatic war/death-march bang of the drums and underlining bass to flickering lights, floats over the audience in a pent-up frustration-filled mist, as the band makes their grand entrance. This sets the perfect tone for what comes next.

Joel’s rapturous screams and the heavy minor tones in the first two songs (the second of which I’m fairly sure is new single ‘All My Friends Are Dead’ off the band’s upcoming album) build up the heat and aggression exponentially, which the crowd seem to consume as intended! Cleverly, the first two songs are powerhouse slaughters, screams of desperation, whereas the third song still keeps the energy at a red-hot fever-pitch, with constant movement of stage from the band, weaving through and around complementing lighting, which gives an emphasis to the frustration/desperation/angst feelings of the music. However, this song introduces Ahren’s clean more-melodic vocals as well as some free-falling piano droplets in the chorus after the wailing guitar riffs and aggressive scream vocals in the verses. This I feel puts more emphasis on the desperation. I have a feeling I’m on the money with the intent of the essence one feels in this song, as in the more pleading desperation of the chorus, both Joel and Ahren support each other perfectly in both sound and on-stage charisma, which makes one another stronger. So when Ahren reaches out to the audience to offer a hand in singing in the bridge section, it hits home hard!

The aggressive screaming vocals, rapid pounding drums seeming to emulate a rushing heartbeat, thick commanding bassline and razor-sharp guitar riffs that cut deep. Plus the acoustics of the venue don’t seem ideal, as I took note of the shiny wood flooring in which my cane slid across as I entered, and from what I can see, it’s a rather large venue. I can tell this as I can hear the sounds echoing off the walls and up the back… recipe for disaster. Just like a glimmer of hope, a slither of positivity, a lifeline if you will, in a terrible situation, these speakers are capable enough to hit us with the full-force of the bands punch (musically) AND keep perfect clarity, even at such high volume! But the real saving-grace is the sound mixer, who clearly knows this venue and/or the bands sound! Despite the reflective surfaces which the sound bounces to-and-fro in their own invisible moshpit, but the sound mixer prevails to my immense relief!

The mood is shifted slightly to a more uplifting hopeful essence with ‘Shine On’ and its anthemic easy to sing- along-to chorus. But when after ‘Shine On’ comes ‘Ivy (Doomsday)’ it maintains an anthemic power in the chorus, uplifting the energy in the crowd, whilst still delivering a serious, overwhelming potency in the songs core.

Now that this reckoning is in full effect, the crowd is hyped up to extreme levels, making me very thankful I chose to steer clear of the centre of the barrier! (two metres to my left is all hell breaking loose!) The security can’t keep up with the constant flow of crowd surfers, especially in crowd favourite songs like ‘Pittsburgh’, ‘I Take The Weather With Me’ new hit ‘Soak Me In Bleach’ and the grand finale of ‘All F****d Up’, seriously, as I watch the line of crowd surfers exiting/walking in front of the barrier, it seems as though half a dozen all came out simultaneously! No wonder the heat in here is extreme!

Instead of going on and on with how the band smash out all the songs to perfection, well, I do believe Ahren struggled a little in one of the choruses of the later songs, but I’ll turn a blind eye, but all you need to know is this…

Consistently throughout the set I, and I’m sure the rest of us here, are reminded of the power of music, friends, family and everyone around us to help guide us through dark times. The band display this perfectly with the way Joel and Ahren lean on each other and complement each other, as well as the band reaching out to their audience to help with singing key lines, letting the crowd sing lead whilst Ahren sings harmonies in the verse of one song drawing near the sets close, and melodies in strategic intervals, bringing an uplifting positive power to the heavy somber darkness of the songs’ meanings, in a perfect paradox!

How do you feel? Are you okay? What happens when you’re not? When you feel all f****d up, you think to yourself “all I do is sink into my impending coffin”....

What do you do? Reach out, ask for help and draw strength, courage and support from those around you like The Amity Affliction.

Music brings us together...

Elton John 'Farewell Yellow Brick Road' - First State Super Theatre Sydney, December 21 2019

“WE’RE OFF TO SEE THE WIZARD, THE WONDERFUL SIR ELTON JOHN!”

Can you feel the love tonight? And if not, are you ready for love? As we step into Christmas and 2019 comes to an end, so does an incredible 57-year adventure, but not before traversing through the spoils of this iconic path, before we say goodbye yellow brick road for the last time, and do the crocodile rock with the rocket man himself!

Slip on your tiny dancer shoes and click your heels together three times, “we’re off to see the wizard! The wonderful Sir Elton John!...”

As the lights go down, the mighty Elton John emerges onto the stage and we’re all thrust into a world of magic, filled with buzzing euphoria, the first stops on this adventure are the iconic ‘Bonnie And The Jets’, ‘All The Girls Love Alice’, ‘I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues’, ‘Border Song’ and ‘Tiny Dancer’.

I’m instantly mesmerized by the sound on all fronts! The sound mix supremely highlights Elton’s iconic vocals, which are so sharp and poised, in both the falsetto pitches and the grandeur baritone vocals, as if decades haven’t passed, and he’s still in his youth, only having written the songs yesterday! This with Elton’s dazzling star-spangled costumes, well-choreographed stage visual and lighting seems to sprinkle a mist of magic throughout the theatre, transporting us all back in time!

Opening with ‘Bonnie And The Jets’ followed by ‘All The Girls Love Alice’ perfectly introduces the musical characters and sets the scene/plot-line! ‘Bonnie And The Jets’ brings forth a cool, refreshing soulful, yet uplifting mid-tempo dance sway, to grab the attention straight away, but not charge at the energy like a bull to a red rag… oh hello, here’s the red rag!  ‘All The Girls Love Alice’ rockets the energy forward dramatically, as if introducing the big-bad-enemy in the story. But in all seriousness, very well executed, as both these songs display two separate, yet complementing essences. (cruisy sway-dance/upbeat and energetic foot tapping and head bobbing)

Elton now greets us all, like Dorothy introducing herself to all the characters along the way in The Wizard Of Oz, and Elton does it in a way that speaks to both the masses in the theatre, and everyone individually somehow! This sparks more feel-good magic in the crowd for the infectious blues of ‘I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues’ before Elton delights us with reminiscent stories of his career, before we encounter a ‘Tiny Dancer’ along the yellow brick road.

This may be a Tiny Dancer, but what’s not tiny is the number of people standing up to dance in this song! Although it can be quite annoying having everyone stand up right in front of you, being seated, I honestly can’t blame them! Just like it’s no wonder why The Wizard Of Oz has become a household name and an icon, it’s no wonder why the same applies for Elton! I’ve got goosebumps from how tantalisingly perfect his vocals are whilst playing the piano like... well, like Elton John. I’m a pianist myself and “great scott!” I wish I could play the piano like that, but to play like that at his age… of 21… while bopping away, pointing and waving his arms when possible AND singing like that? Yeah, I’m out!

I guess all of Elton John songs are iconic, so it’s hard to pick which one to really delve into without blabbering on ‘til the new year. So one, two, miss-a-few and, oh! Hello!...

After a grand blues-rock flurry of piano swishes and complementive lights and visual effects in the bridge section of ‘Indian Summer’, the continuity is kept perfectly, seamlessly flowing ‘Indian Summer’ into a theatrical suspense-building video, bringing forth quite possibly my personal favourite, ‘Rocket Man’. The smile on my face just widened immensely! It’s funny, Elton’s vocals seem more on the baritone end than the recording, but it honestly seems like it’s intended, not that Elton can’t hit the higher notes. As a result, it actually seems more quintessentially Elton… it’s hard to explain, but I feel like if he did do the really high notes in the verses of the song, it would just seem out of place now? And if you were thinking “well maybe he’s too old and can’t sing like he once did?” well, sorry, no. The way he sustains the note near the end of the song and controls the vibrato in both his falsetto and baritone vocals shoots that theory down hard! And just to add the cherry on the top, that extra dash of magic, Elton activates different sounds on his piano for the dazzling piano solo at the end… wait, is he on a rotating platform? I swear he was facing me when I last looked through my distance magnifier?!

As we head deeper into the forest of magical sounds, we encounter a ‘Candle In The Wind’ which is met with a sea of standing ovations, in which I join in on, holding up my sign “DRUM STICK 4 BLIND GUY PLZ?!” After ‘Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding’, to my amazement, someone from Elton/the band’s entourage comes up to me and hands me two drum sticks, informing me they’re from Nigel himself! Now, the reason why I mention this, is because it proves that it’s not just an illusion with how Elton speaks to several thousand people as if he’s only speaking to twenty-odd people, Elton and clearly his band are actually connected with the audience!

We’re in the second half of the show, and you might think people might be shifting in their seats, going to the bar, checking their phones etc? Well I doubt it, seeing as for example, the interest is perfectly maintained with honest, personal anecdotes from Elton, including talking about his own struggles with depression which he implores people to seek help when depressed, shattering the spell-woven illusion that Elton is some kind of God and not a human being like the rest of us. It’s also a little hard to drift off when theatrical dark, evil “wicked witch of the west” vibe wind and booming thunder claps (which I’m glad neither myself or my guide dog, with his heavy-duty dog ear-muffs on, have full bladders), along with call-and-response musical battles between Elton on the piano and Nigel on drums/percussion is peppered in the set!

But even the magical yellow brick road has an end. Finishing up (after profusely thanking us all and introducing/thanking his band of course) with the defiant power-punching whopper ‘I’m Still Standing’, followed by the infectious dance like nobody’s watching, sing-along crazily like the drunk-lady who’s pulled me up to join her in ‘Crocodile Rock’ and finally the final punch that vanquishes the evil witch in The Wizard Of Oz, ‘Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting)’ which is capped off with a burst of confetti! BAM!!!

But just like in a movie, or book, there’s also the epilogue/wrap-up after the climax right? Even Elton John dishes out an encore which consists of ‘Your Song and finally, poetically, ‘Goodbye Yellow Brick Road’ as we too say goodbye yellow brick road!

The next day…

I may have 48 hours to publish this review, but I honestly can’t wait to tell the world of my thrilling adventures on the yellow brick road! I feel so incredibly honoured to have witnessed such a momentous occasion, and sitting here writing this review, I’m still awash in euphoric goosebumps!

Goodbye yellow brick road...

Walking On Cars 'Colours Australian Tour' - Factory Theatre Sydney, November 29 2019

“LIKE A KINDERGARTENER WITH A DULUX COLOUR CHART”

Imagine, if you will, a canvas of vast emptiness and thus possibility. Then just like the big-bang, bringing light, life and colour to the once blank canvas that is our universe. This is poetically fitting for this show tonight, because Irish alternative-rock band Walking On Cars are here in Sydney for the first time ever, to fill this blank canvas with their musical colour, in celebration of their second studio album, ‘Colours’.

And if for no other reason, this show will be memorable surely, seeing as lead singer Patrick told me in a recent interview (interview here) the band walked onto the stage at first, completely naked.

So well, “lads, let’s walk on cars!”...

I’m right up against the stage, there’s no barrier between the crowd and the band, so this could be very awkward if they do walk out naked. I feel rather conflicted that no, they are not, even I can see that thanks to Patrick coming right up to the edge of the stage, nearly standing on my hands, before launching into the first two songs, ‘Too Emotional’ and ‘Don’t Mind Me’.

I had expected the opening song to be the typical choice being the opening song off the touring album, in this case being the darkly wicked rebellion of ‘Monster’, but opening with ‘Too Emotional’ to a backdrop of dazzling lights brings a very suitable uplifting vibrant essence. Although I feel the bass is slightly too potent in the sound mix (only because I’m picking all the pieces apart analytically like Lego), Patrick’s brilliantly controlled falsetto vocals, even while he dances around the stage is the main focal point of colour. This song with it’s bright musical colour mixed with the visual colour in the stage lighting is like a kindergartener taking to a Dulux colour chart sample kit to my Synesthesia!

Although the tone deepens to a solemn deep blue in ‘Don’t Mind Me’, Patrick’s on stage charisma with him taking to a single electric drum pad to accompany the sharp, precise drum strikes keeps the energy in the crowd elevated nicely! This added with the increased urgency-filled cry of emotion in the last chorus caps this song off superbly!

Next we have splashes of colour, ‘Waitin On The Corner’, ‘Always With You’ and ‘Ship Goes Down’. In all three songs, Patrick maintains a high energy to his on-stage charisma, being the common thread that links each musical story to the next. For ‘Waitin On The Corner’, I’m filled with a rich pastel red glow emanating a dance provoking vibe, with all voices in the crowd singing in unison constantly throughout the song. The icing to the feel-good energy cake is Patrick taking to playing a guitar while captivating the audience with his voice. In ‘Always With You’, once my ears become acquainted with what song it is, I’m wondering where the piano intro is? Then I realise it’s there, just not prominent enough which is a bit disappointing. But again, Lego pieces. In ‘Ship Goes Down’ a refreshing cool ice-blue soulful mist settles on the aural palate, and with Patricks full-hearted honesty, the dancing melodies and Patricks on-stage charisma, I feel the atmosphere is quite reminiscent of The Script.

As the set progresses, I’m seeing a lot of blue as far as my Synesthesia is concerned, which is usually a pretty good indication of the songs key being in C, which I mean, come on, that’s pretty normal in mainstream music. However, this show is far from bland and typical! The way the band move from song to song, Patrick swapping guitars, taking to the single drum pad and dancing around the stage whilst perfectly controlling his vocals added with the general musical vibe, is of performance calibre of that of The Script, Imagine Dragons and OneRepublic!

For me personally, the highlights are how well Patrick moves up and down his vocal range, stretching his vocal chords like and accordian, whilst keeping perfect control especially in ‘Love Backs Down’, along with the burst of euphoric energy in ‘Two Stones’ which Patrick perfectly conducts the crowds energy and vocal hook sing alongs. Another crafty element to this song, is the nifty little vocal lick at the end of the songs chorus, being set to be triggered/played at the drum strike of Patrick on the electric drum pad. As well as the addition of female vocals from keyboardist Sorcha in ‘One Last Dance’ with it’s love-struck warmth and Imagine Dragons flavour!

As the show draws close to its end, dishing out deep emotional greens, pleasant bright yellows and pop-typical blues (musical colour I mean), blending a perfect brew of contrasting colours and thus emotions, with both solemn, heavy-hearted minor tones and bubbly, happy uplifting major tones peppered throughout, I’m feeling so glad I came out to witness this memorable show, because before too long, you’ll be paying big-bucks to see them in much, much larger venues, that, I have no doubt!

But all things must come to an end at some point, and the anthemic, rebellion of ‘Monster’ with its chorus hooks that demand full attention and singing along to, is a pretty damn good finish to a bloody good show!

But just like a painter never being fully satisfied with their work and constantly adding final touches, yep, there’s an encore, which is good seeing as we haven't yet witnessed the band’s greatest hit ‘Catch Me If You Can’ yet!

This encore starting off with ‘Catch Me If You Can’ which sprays beaming energy that gets the whole crowd singing along to, also features ‘Coming My Way’, ‘When We Were Kids’ and finally, to my delight, ‘Speeding Cars’. Although ‘Speeding Cars’ is a temptingly pleading song, the vocal hooks and the grand rock-out at the songs close is simply ace, and the perfect final touch to step back from the masterpiece that is this show, and admire with full satisfaction, even with the band not playing ‘At Gunpoint’ as I’d hoped!

The Cat Empire 'Stolen Diamonds' National Tour, Sydney, October 3 2019

ANYBODY UP FOR SOMETHING TROPICAL?

Hello ladies and gentlemen, and welcome aboard The Chariot for The Cat Empire tropical island cruise featuring your host Oscar Wilde! Anybody not ready now better hold on tight, ‘cause the rhythm of this voyage is expected to be well, moving, to say the least! Onboard with us tonight, we have ‘Stolen Diamonds’ the latest gem from Melbourne’s favourite jazz kitties The Cat Empire, an album brighter than gold!

Ladies and gentlemen, wolves, fishies, bulls and everyone/thing else, please grab a cocktail and have your boarding pass ready, it’s time to party!…

As we stand at the precipice of the performance, the band walking out onto the stage and taking to the helm that are their respective instruments, the already densely packed theatre is filled with a wave of static excitement!

The first stop on this tropical venture, we’re met with a delectable serving of tropical jazz, fun and rasta in ‘Anybody’, featured on the band’s latest album, followed by the fruity cocktail of ‘Sleep Won’t Sleep’, I swear I can almost see the palm trees, coconuts and hammocks on the beach!

‘Anybody’ is like the “complementary” cocktail upon entry (that is included in the entry fee), that offers something new and different to the cocktails we all are used to and have enjoyed, in moderation of course… *cough-cough*. Whereas,  ‘Sleep Won’t Sleep’ is that passionfruit/white-chocolate Martini you know and love! Like a well-blended cocktail, the sound tonight is mixed to perfection! I can hear all sounds sitting comfortably among one another, whilst not overpowering Felix’s vocals at the forefront, and there’s a lot of layers to account for too! (vocals, guitar, bass, keys, drums, DJ/decks, horns and percussion). 

As I find myself becoming pleasantly intoxicated by the tasty mix of sound, the addition of Felix on the bongo’s tapping away swiftly in a “call and response” jam-off with the DJ in the bridge section of ‘Wolves’, and the all-out jam between all band members in the bridge section of ‘Sleep Won’t Sleep’ is nothing short of mesmerizing. That, plus the smooth horns (I honestly have no idea if it’s in-fact trombone, saxophone, trumpet or what?) and the chorus of voices singing the hook lyrics “all night long” in the chorus is rather potent!

Thus far, Felix has been like an entertaining host on an island tour “on the left we have Felix holding the microphone out to the crowd, to sing the hook melody in the bridge section of ‘Call Me Home’. On the right we have the highly fun jazz improv jamming featuring the admittedly sexiest piano solo in the bridge section ‘Fishies’, followed by some incredible high notes ( which shouldn’t be possible for a male over the age of twelve) performed in perfect clarity by Felix in ‘Darkness’, with it’s deeper feeling portraying the mixed feeling of awe, captivation and excitement as one witnesses the historic events of Pompei” This is all while Felix races around the stage, dancing and waving to the crowd when possible like a tour guide who’s way too jolly for the suspiciously sudden vacancy of alcohol onboard the ship… hmmm. Still, Felix’s energy and the way he coordinates his actions with his musical performance is far too well executed for someone intoxicated to pull off… well, smoothly at least!

Despite the fun, tropical fiesta that is this show, the crowd are rather calm? It’s not until Felix revs us up with a clap-along to the building-up beats in the bridge section of ‘Two Shoes’ that people actually dance and jump in the sequential chorus after the build-up! Me on the other hand, I’ve been shamelessly grooving the entire time… ok, maybe slightly shameful. The insane drum solo in the bridge section of ‘Darkness’ probably helped energize the crowd!

We all have a favourite destination on these kinds of tours, and mine is definitely ‘The Chariot’ with it’s rasta grooves in the verses with Felix’s quick rolling vocals that build up to the insanely infectious, lively jazz salsa dance of a chorus! I was already musically quite intoxicated by these tropical fuels, but now? The horn melodies in the chorus with keyboard rhythms bouncing around them and driving beat elevates my slightly shameful dance moves to straight out shameful, no slightness about it. Still, I’m not the only one, and seeing as I can’t see people looking at me, eh!

No but seriously, as Felix told me in our interview before the show, (watch here) music brings us together which I couldn’t agree more! Tonight is a prime example, we’re all here regardless of any language barriers, differences in culture, beliefs or status, all brought together by a mutual love! And when it’s a show like this filled with passion, energy, improvisations, crowd interaction and tantalising tropical aural flavours, you can’t help but let your hair down, forget the stress of normal everyday life and dance without a shred of remorse, ‘cause we’re all doing the same, so it’d be a real shame not to!

I could go on and on, taking you through every single song on this journey, but really, after nineteen songs (sixteen plus a three song encore) I think everyone would agree that like a truly euphoric and memorable holiday, I don’t want it to end and wish it could continue! And even with the absence of the band’s greatest hit ‘Hello’ and the anthemic and kind of sexy swagger of ‘Prophets In The Sky’ which I was hoping to be played, I am far from disappointed! In summary, this is one of the most fun “let your hair down” concerts you could attend whether you’re a jazz fan typically or not!

Thank you for choosing to travel with Keen Eye 4 Concerts, I hope you’ve enjoyed your trip as much as I have and I hope to have you aboard again soon!