The following review is a two-in-one. In the Oxford Art Factory gallery, we had Bird Automatic closing out their month long residency with a rollicking set. Meanwhile, in the main room, The Veils and Oh Mercy were playing to a just-about-sold-out crowd, in a dual headlining show. Larry Heath attempted to review both gigs at the same time, with interesting result – which follows:
Melbourne quartet, Oh Mercy, fresh off winning the Qantas Spirit of Youth Music Award 2009, wasted no time in blowing the socks off the Oxford Art Factory crowd. Their music is very easy listening, its certainly not hard rock and roll – don’t get me wrong – but they blow your socks off by sheer talent alone.
I was impressed when I saw them at the Sydney Opera House a few months ago, supporting Ben Folds – but it’s in these smaller venues where they shine – the places in which their songs provide the most resonance. It helps, too, that they are an incredibly tight band.
The Veils, who thankfully didn’t clash with Bird Automatic, supposedly “shared” the headlining spot with Oh Mercy, but it was the UK quartet that everyone had come to see – and the crowd certainly didn’t let them down in support.
I only knew a few of the songs heading into the event, but now I feel I know the guys pretty well – and my God they are talented. “Sit Down by the Fire” was a particular highlight. They didn’t just bring musical talent to the stage, but lead singer Finn Andrew’s charisma and humour as well. In one moment, he reflected on Keith Urban, saying “.. when I wrote that songs, I was thinking of Keith Urban learning his first guitar chord … and then it made me sad” – of course inferring the barrage of average music the Australian country music singer has put out over the year. This then lead into a mention of how they went to their first ever award show the night before – The Arias! And how much it sucked, inevitably followed.
The set ended with a 4 song encore, the first 3 of which were performed solo – the crowd silent, hanging on his every word. This was a crowd of true fans, and a band of true talent. It surprises me that they haven’t quite “made it” just yet – but they’re getting there. But not that we’re complaining – to be fortunate enough to see bands in intimate venues such as the Oxford Art Factory is not a luxury you expect to last forever. So I’m more than happy to enjoy it while it lasts.
Meanwhile, in the Gallery room, Bird Automatic were performing a free set in the lead up to, and during, Oh Mercy playing in the main room. This set brought an end to their month long residency at the venue, and as such the crowd was full of plenty of friends and fans alike.
Bird Automatic are a band who have been travelling around the Sydney circuit for many years now – undergoing a number of member changes along the way. Over the course of this time, their sound hasn’t changed too much – but their confidence in their sound has become a raw power in of itself. They are so tight as a band, have such a good time on stage, and produce some incredibly sweet music in the process. And now that they’ve got this fact under their belts, there’s no saying where it could lead.
Could 2010 be the year they break? I certainly hope so.
