alt-J (∆), City Calm Down Review @ The Metro Theatre, Sydney (06/02/2013)
Alt-j are four humble British Indie rockers whose debut album has made a mark on the music industry and impressed a lot of folks in the process. Having recently pocketed the prestigious Mercury Prize last year (an annual music prize awarded for the best album from the UK and Ireland) it’s with no great surprise that the band is gathering momentum fast. Gracing our shores for Laneway Festival, a last minute sideshow was squeezed in at The Metro (hosted by Triple J) which sold out in minutes.
Hotly tipped up and comers City Calm Down have gained regular rotation on the radio with their experimental electronica sound, and it was the bubbly intro of their latest release Sense of Self that kicked off their set. Spacey sampling combined with frontman Jack Bourke’s richly toned voice called the crowd’s attention. It was the affirmative tones of Lost. Trapped off the band’s original EP which further sealed the deal, as ears pricked up, attracted by vibrating synths and haunting vocals.
Whilst the Melbourne quartet’s sound is quite up tempo, it seemed that both band and crowd were showing great restraint (with the exception of a tambourine shaking Bourke). Jez Sonnenberg bopped along to his own funky bass lines, whilst keyboardist Sam Mullaly delivered spine tingling notes for Burn Slow. Heart stopper Pleasure and Consequence off the new Movements EP radiated dark magnetism, as Bourke’s deepened voice oozed sexuality. Bourke deftly held crisp high notes as he harmonised with Mullaly, whilst Sonnenberg moved between bass and drums during atmospheric closer Dare. A shameless plug of the Movements EP finished off what was an absorbingly brilliant performance.
An army of techies swarmed the stage, as the now jammed floorspace buzzed in anticipation of Alt-j, it seemed a privilege to attend this sold out show, considering the hype surrounding the band at the moment. A stunning branching backdrop and mystical sounding intro gave way to a shyly waving band, as they made their entrance. From the short and sweet opener Ripe & Ruin to the last note of Taro, Alt-j delivered mind-blowingly resplendent music. With an almost indescribable blend of rock, electronica, hip-hop, funk and everything else between, the band stretched harmonies, timings and key changes in a clever and unique fashion.
Appreciative yowls rose from the audience as frontman Joe Newman with his guitar slung high, jammed along with Gwil Sainsbury, his baritone voice resonating subliminally. His calm composure reflected in the gentle sway of his hips, as he moved to the grinding beat of Tessellate. Crowd favourite Something Good enveloped in rolling piano and spur jangling synths had punters nodding agreeably, as the backdrop came alive under the lights. Gus Unger-Hamilton claimed the keys, producing an array of samples which ranged from joyfully bouyant, to disturbingly distorted, also throwing in some beat boxing and vocal flair of his own.
Buffalo, a fairly new song of theirs had a delightfully sunny disposition in its choral harmonies and dual guitar picking, whilst Fitzpleasure overflowed in layered harmonisation and shattered rumblings, as Sainsbury added the hard knock of castanets to its beat. Newman took a moment to thank Triple J for hosting the show, before the band performed their Like a Version cover of Slow Dre (Kylie Minogue’s Slow feat Dr Dre), a slower, sexier, and funkier take on the original.
Touching and tender track Matilda had the crowd enraptured as they sang along, captivated in the song’s warmth, whilst the intro to popular track Breezeblocks was greeted by cheers, as the moshpit became a sea of mobiles and cameras, their owners capturing the moment. A quick intermission had the band back for encore, guitar issues resolved for Newman with a changeover, before the set was officially closed with Taro. Here Sainsbury shone, his lightning fast picking on the lower frets of his guitar a sight to behold, as he produced strange pipe sounds. The audience chanted along ecstatically and without persuasion clapped out the beat, as the backdrop became a myriad of pulsating vessels.
Alt-j played an hour exactly, given they only have one EP and a debut album under their belt it was enough to keep the audience sated and awestruck. For those unfamiliar with their sound it was a definite awakening and given the strong impression they’ve made so early in the piece, it seems they have an exceedingly bright and exciting future ahead of them.
Nazia Hafiz
Check out our photos from the gig here!
Hotly tipped up and comers City Calm Down have gained regular rotation on the radio with their experimental electronica sound, and it was the bubbly intro of their latest release Sense of Self that kicked off their set. Spacey sampling combined with frontman Jack Bourke’s richly toned voice called the crowd’s attention. It was the affirmative tones of Lost. Trapped off the band’s original EP which further sealed the deal, as ears pricked up, attracted by vibrating synths and haunting vocals.
Whilst the Melbourne quartet’s sound is quite up tempo, it seemed that both band and crowd were showing great restraint (with the exception of a tambourine shaking Bourke). Jez Sonnenberg bopped along to his own funky bass lines, whilst keyboardist Sam Mullaly delivered spine tingling notes for Burn Slow. Heart stopper Pleasure and Consequence off the new Movements EP radiated dark magnetism, as Bourke’s deepened voice oozed sexuality. Bourke deftly held crisp high notes as he harmonised with Mullaly, whilst Sonnenberg moved between bass and drums during atmospheric closer Dare. A shameless plug of the Movements EP finished off what was an absorbingly brilliant performance.
An army of techies swarmed the stage, as the now jammed floorspace buzzed in anticipation of Alt-j, it seemed a privilege to attend this sold out show, considering the hype surrounding the band at the moment. A stunning branching backdrop and mystical sounding intro gave way to a shyly waving band, as they made their entrance. From the short and sweet opener Ripe & Ruin to the last note of Taro, Alt-j delivered mind-blowingly resplendent music. With an almost indescribable blend of rock, electronica, hip-hop, funk and everything else between, the band stretched harmonies, timings and key changes in a clever and unique fashion.
Appreciative yowls rose from the audience as frontman Joe Newman with his guitar slung high, jammed along with Gwil Sainsbury, his baritone voice resonating subliminally. His calm composure reflected in the gentle sway of his hips, as he moved to the grinding beat of Tessellate. Crowd favourite Something Good enveloped in rolling piano and spur jangling synths had punters nodding agreeably, as the backdrop came alive under the lights. Gus Unger-Hamilton claimed the keys, producing an array of samples which ranged from joyfully bouyant, to disturbingly distorted, also throwing in some beat boxing and vocal flair of his own.
Buffalo, a fairly new song of theirs had a delightfully sunny disposition in its choral harmonies and dual guitar picking, whilst Fitzpleasure overflowed in layered harmonisation and shattered rumblings, as Sainsbury added the hard knock of castanets to its beat. Newman took a moment to thank Triple J for hosting the show, before the band performed their Like a Version cover of Slow Dre (Kylie Minogue’s Slow feat Dr Dre), a slower, sexier, and funkier take on the original.
Touching and tender track Matilda had the crowd enraptured as they sang along, captivated in the song’s warmth, whilst the intro to popular track Breezeblocks was greeted by cheers, as the moshpit became a sea of mobiles and cameras, their owners capturing the moment. A quick intermission had the band back for encore, guitar issues resolved for Newman with a changeover, before the set was officially closed with Taro. Here Sainsbury shone, his lightning fast picking on the lower frets of his guitar a sight to behold, as he produced strange pipe sounds. The audience chanted along ecstatically and without persuasion clapped out the beat, as the backdrop became a myriad of pulsating vessels.
Alt-j played an hour exactly, given they only have one EP and a debut album under their belt it was enough to keep the audience sated and awestruck. For those unfamiliar with their sound it was a definite awakening and given the strong impression they’ve made so early in the piece, it seems they have an exceedingly bright and exciting future ahead of them.
Nazia Hafiz
Check out our photos from the gig here!