In the first week of 2013 that begun traditionally with a stellar day at The Domain thanks to Field Day, it was time to kick off the Falls Festival sideshows with a string of events around the city. Though the following night would end up proving the most difficult for clashes, there was plenty on tonight, though my attention went rather easily over to London lads Bombay Bicycle Club and Melbourne supports The Paper Kites.
The support band were one of those “perfect fit” sort of choices. Their music was right up a similar alley as the headliners. They had a fair few fans in the crowd – thanks in part to the popularity of songs like “A Maker Of My Time”. It was a lovely set. The band were in fine form, had the crowd on their side from start to finish and it was hard not to leave with a smile on your face. One of the finest bands in Australia at the moment, for certain. Looking forward to seeing what they come up with in 2013.
But it was, of course, the night of triple j darlings Bombay Bicycle Club who sold the Factory Theatre well in spite of a last minute date change, and had the crowd moving from start to finish. Opening track “Beg” was a great one, but it was in the second, “Your Eyes”, that they really got rocking, and they barely took a breather from there on out.
When I last saw the band, it was in acoustic mode in India. The time before then was in Canada and the US during their tour in early 2011, when I didn’t know all that much about them. So tonight was the first chance I’d had to see them in full band mode, playing tracks off of their acclaimed album A Different Kind of Fix. Though their third album, it was the one that broke them internationally, so the band are now at a strange crossroads where they’re working hard on their fourth record and showing no signs of slowing down, for this is still something new and exciting. That’s a pretty cool position to be in.
And it’s reflected on stage. The band, who are supported by two additional touring musicians on this tour, have smiles on their faces and sound fantastic. They’re a tight, well-oiled machine, and they have a fantastic back catalogue to draw upon. Though they didn’t let that stop them from playing two tracks from their forthcoming record, one called “It’s Alright Now” which featured some extra drums thanks to lead singer Jack Steadman, and “Carry Me”, which featured in the encore and is destined for the dance floors.
“Always Like This” had a great singalong, as did “Evening/Morning”. “How Can You Swallow So Much Sleep” got everyone dancing, and they didn’t deny the popularity of their track “Shuffle” by any means – they even put in a teaser riff during “Ivy & Gold” and “What If?” closed out the night in their three song encore. It was a fun night, featuring a fantastic live band. You really can’t ask for much more than that. Oh – and the lights were great too!
SETLIST
Beg
Your Eyes
Dust on the Ground
How Can You Swallow So Much Sleep
Leave It
It’s Alright Now
Evening/Morning
Bad Timing
Rinse Me Down
Ivy and Gold
Lights out, Words Gone
What You Want
Cancel On Me
Always like this
—–
Shuffle
Carry Me
What If?
