alt-J, Ásgeir, Mansionair @ Riverstage, Brisbane (08/05/2015)
Alt-J were back in Australia for the third time in a year, still riding high on the success of their highly successful second LP, This Is All Yours.
Being such regular visitors down under, it was surprising that this was actually their first ever headline show in Brisbane. Having brought breakout Icelandic star Asgeir and Aussie up-and-comers Mansionair along to the Riverstage, it was sure to be a great Friday night at my favourite venue in the country. I managed to catch the last couple of songs of Mansionair’s short but sweet 20 minute set. They seemed very appreciative that such a large crowd had come out early to see the Sydney three piece. They sounded strong and assured on the big stage, and recent single, Hold Me Down, got a very warm reaction on what was a cool evening. |
I must admit, I was extremely excited to have the chance to catch Asgeir in what was his first performance in Brisbane ever. His album, In the Silence, and its version with Icelandic lyrics, was one of the highlights of 2014 in music. Opening with Head in the Snow, the harmonies between Asgeir and his bandmates were immediately gorgeous and the intricate melodies were heard loud and clear due to an excellent sound mix coming from the stage. The crowd lapped up popular hits, King & Cross and Higher, which got everyone singing and clapping along. Surprisingly, the most enjoyable moment of the set came from the Icelandic version of In Harmony which was sung in that most beautiful language and once again brought out some lovely vocal harmonies.
Alt-J walked onto the stage to a rapturous reaction from the sold-out audience, and launched into slow-burner Hunger of the Pine. Having seen the guys play a few months ago at the Falls Festival, and coming away slightly disappointed with the live show, I was very pleased to hear a vast improvement in sound tonight. In particular the voice of front man/guitarist Joe Newman was sounding full, rich and strong, and the vocal call-and-reply with keyboardist Gus Unger-Hamilton was just as faultless as on record.
The English lads brought out first album bangers Fitzpleasure and Something Good early on, and well as more recent material such as guitar twanging Left Hand Free. However a lull in the set came about 45 minutes in, with a few slower and more reserved song feeling a bit lost in the crowd in such a large venue. I was, however, very pleased to hear personal favourite Taro has lost none of its intricacies and its stunning extended outro was a real highlight.
The band returned to the stage, after the briefest of encore breaks, to finish off with their biggest hit to date, the fan favourite Breezeblocks, ensuring the crowd left with the Nah-nah-nah-nah refrain in the heads as they left the show.
Alt-J proved their worth tonight as an indie-rock success and their live show proves that with a few more albums under their belt, they will become an act capable of putting on a fantastic show at much larger venue than this.
Sebastian Betten
Alt-J walked onto the stage to a rapturous reaction from the sold-out audience, and launched into slow-burner Hunger of the Pine. Having seen the guys play a few months ago at the Falls Festival, and coming away slightly disappointed with the live show, I was very pleased to hear a vast improvement in sound tonight. In particular the voice of front man/guitarist Joe Newman was sounding full, rich and strong, and the vocal call-and-reply with keyboardist Gus Unger-Hamilton was just as faultless as on record.
The English lads brought out first album bangers Fitzpleasure and Something Good early on, and well as more recent material such as guitar twanging Left Hand Free. However a lull in the set came about 45 minutes in, with a few slower and more reserved song feeling a bit lost in the crowd in such a large venue. I was, however, very pleased to hear personal favourite Taro has lost none of its intricacies and its stunning extended outro was a real highlight.
The band returned to the stage, after the briefest of encore breaks, to finish off with their biggest hit to date, the fan favourite Breezeblocks, ensuring the crowd left with the Nah-nah-nah-nah refrain in the heads as they left the show.
Alt-J proved their worth tonight as an indie-rock success and their live show proves that with a few more albums under their belt, they will become an act capable of putting on a fantastic show at much larger venue than this.
Sebastian Betten