Ha! This gig was fun. I’d already seen Deep Sea Arcade no less than a week before in Sydney for the launch of their ‘Outlands’ tour and thoroughly enjoyed the gig. I’d also managed to wrangle a great team of friends to come with and two hours prior heading to Jive we were knocking back the margaritas. Always one for mixing work with pleasure, thankfully I have a great memory for someone who was intoxicated and managed to knock out this review of the night…
So my first gig review for the AU review and I’ve arrived late missing the first act Woe and Flutter but this is also from being stuck flirting with the nice lady at the door convincing her that I am actually supposed to be on the door-list…
…I’ve brought with me a crowd, having seen Deep Sea Arcade a few weeks ago when they performed in Sydney for the same tour and have convinced them [my amigos] to come to this sold out Adelaide show – we know talent when we hear it. Finally through the door and I’ve already bagged a spot at the front, half price margaritas kicking in (reason for being late) and looking forward to limbering up with The Cairos…
…A male pop-punk-indie four-piece from Brisbane, getting great Triple J airplay with their song “Shame” and who look like they’re out past their curfew. “Lena” starts the set with a great toe-tapping head-nodding beat; a plucky guitar with beautiful imploring vocals weaves in and out of a harsher punk guitar thrash, bringing every-one closer to the stage and right into things…
…My new favourite song “Yeah No” sounds so much catchier, sensual and funkadelic live which is awesome and it really feels great dancing with the ghosts of this old iconic 70’s nightclub. Bassist Reuben was in his element and really giving it thrust to this one, jutting back and forth to the addictive bass, long hair thrashing around…
…“Seasons of Snow” has lead vocalist Alistair screeching the chorus and a hint of Smiths-style guitar play while “Shame” had some girl come grab me and swirl me around the front of the stage singing our lungs out to the chorus… SHAME!!..
…A very good cover of “Bette Davis Eye’s” came towards the end and “We All Buy Stars” reminded me again why they sound like a modern day ‘Smiths…
…Nick Weaver is a figure. While everyone is setting up he’s there pouting away tuning the bass in the most peacocking fashion I have ever seen in my life Mr ‘too cool for school’ and I can’t stop staring. Put him and Julian Casablancas in the same room and see who can do it better…
…Deep Sea Arcade have a very British sound to them it’s no surprise to me that they have supported Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Kaiser Chiefs and The Charlatans. Their sound reminds me of Kasabian and The Beatles but they’re from Sydney and they rock in their own sixties- psychedelic-indie way. Appearing to the sound of Nancy Sinatra’s haunting “In my Room” they immediately jump into fast and jangly “Seen No Right”…
…Tonight is all about their new album launch for Outlands and although Jive is tiny it was just right and intimate for this modern sixties vibe. This album is full of songs that are so top of your lungs sing-worthy with fantastic vocals and I wailed along with everybody else to “Granite City”, “Lonely In Your Arms” and “Steam”. Nic McKenzie’s dreamy psychedelic voice floats through the room, up the back of your shirt and gives you shivers on songs like “Outlands”, “Together”, “All The Kids” and “Ride”…
…Strangers became friends at Jive as one girl threw her faux-fur vest on-stage and Nic wore it proudly for a song – sweating in it the lucky lady. “Girls” went off. That is not an overstatement, having already made best friends with two guys in front of me and allowing them to get their creative juices flowing with my camera. Arms were linked, eyes closed, fingers pointing and bodies heaving to the sweet sounds…
*Because I was drunk and not holding the camera very steady I decided to make lemonade and create some animated GIF’s with the blurry images to re-create some of the magic =P Enjoy – Hope you have decent internet connection.
…Disappearing for their timed encore the crowd yelled, cheered and screamed with ferocious withdrawal symptoms until they re-appeared, to an amazing cover of Chemical Brother’s “Let Forever Be”. I can’t remember what the last song was (or if the C.B’s cover was it) I was too intoxicated on the amazing vibe, great company and absolute rapture of how great these guys are live. The Adelaide gig filled with A-town love was by far much better than the pomposity of Sydney’s and Deep Sea Arcade gave back so much more of themselves in gratitude. I will be stalking their Facebook page to find out when they will be touring again.
And that will be pretty soon as they’re touring within the next month or so promoting another single off the album which is awesome because I’ll totally go and see them a third time, especially as they have a new guitarist and will be playing new material.
BUT the night wasn’t over, my friend started chatting to Alistar from The Cairos and he was super cool, so we went backstage and chilled out for a bit chatting with the rest of the band and the guys from Woe & Flutter…
Lock up your daughters. I did record a mini interview with the loutish bunch but the recording has since disappeared – maybe a good thing but totally hilarious as they did break out in song (Are You Gonna Be My Girl by Jet)
I’m down for supporting new music so I bought their EP and when Alistar offered to get the guys to sign it, he ran around getting me sweet nothings engraved…
Yep. That’s a penis. He also ran off with my pen.
Beauty & the Beat 