Birds of Tokyo @ The Hi Fi, Brisbane (10/09/2011)
It’s always tough being the support act, particularly with the bigger names when the crowd is only there to see the headliner. Unfortunately for indie rock group The Medics, this was the case at the Birds of Tokyo show at the Hi Fi on Saturday. While the Cairns based group played an amazing set, the crowd didn’t seem to be feeling it and just looked a little unsure.
This could have been due to the make up of the crowd. One of the first things I noticed when I walked in was the diversity of the punters, from 18 year olds through to retirees, and this could have contributed to the mixed response. It was only when they played their recent hit, Beggars that the crowd gave a little love, as if to see say ‘wow these guys are actually really talented’. Highlights of the set included an awesome drumming interlude and generally the amazing vocals and energy the four piece exhibits.
After painful anticipation between sets, the crowd came alive as Birds of Tokyo took to stage in spectacular form, opening their set with ‘Broken Bones’. Their entrance was fueled by an amazing lighting display and the atmosphere within the venue was transformed instantly.
The show was part of their final tour for the year, Closer, which has already sold out in many venues across the country. This tour reaffirms that the Perth band is certainly at the top of their craft, already with so many powerful hits that obviously resonate with fans. Their most recent self-titled album is actually the group’s third but by far the most critically acclaimed, topping the Australian charts.
The crowd couldn’t get enough of the set which consisted of one hit after another; ‘Armour for Liars’, ‘The Saddest Thing I Know’, ‘The Gap’, ‘Silhouettic’ and with a few new songs in between. After finishing with ‘Wild at Heart’, the group made a brief exit before succumbing to the crowd’s insatiable appetite for more melodic rock goodness. It was a beautiful moment when they returned to the stage to give the crowd exactly what they waiting for. Lead singer Ian Kenny’s amazing vocals took on God-like proportions with pitch and power that was achingly beautiful with an amazing rendition of chart topping 'Plans'. It was truly live music perfection.
Whenever I attend a show, I always take note of the look on people’s faces as they stream out. Post performance, everyone had the same expression, genuine satisfaction! I think we were all thinking the same thing, thank god for live music and for Birds of Tokyo.
Bec Danslow
This could have been due to the make up of the crowd. One of the first things I noticed when I walked in was the diversity of the punters, from 18 year olds through to retirees, and this could have contributed to the mixed response. It was only when they played their recent hit, Beggars that the crowd gave a little love, as if to see say ‘wow these guys are actually really talented’. Highlights of the set included an awesome drumming interlude and generally the amazing vocals and energy the four piece exhibits.
After painful anticipation between sets, the crowd came alive as Birds of Tokyo took to stage in spectacular form, opening their set with ‘Broken Bones’. Their entrance was fueled by an amazing lighting display and the atmosphere within the venue was transformed instantly.
The show was part of their final tour for the year, Closer, which has already sold out in many venues across the country. This tour reaffirms that the Perth band is certainly at the top of their craft, already with so many powerful hits that obviously resonate with fans. Their most recent self-titled album is actually the group’s third but by far the most critically acclaimed, topping the Australian charts.
The crowd couldn’t get enough of the set which consisted of one hit after another; ‘Armour for Liars’, ‘The Saddest Thing I Know’, ‘The Gap’, ‘Silhouettic’ and with a few new songs in between. After finishing with ‘Wild at Heart’, the group made a brief exit before succumbing to the crowd’s insatiable appetite for more melodic rock goodness. It was a beautiful moment when they returned to the stage to give the crowd exactly what they waiting for. Lead singer Ian Kenny’s amazing vocals took on God-like proportions with pitch and power that was achingly beautiful with an amazing rendition of chart topping 'Plans'. It was truly live music perfection.
Whenever I attend a show, I always take note of the look on people’s faces as they stream out. Post performance, everyone had the same expression, genuine satisfaction! I think we were all thinking the same thing, thank god for live music and for Birds of Tokyo.
Bec Danslow