Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, MT Warning @ The Palace Theatre, Melbourne (15/04/2014)
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros seem far too quaint of an act for such a monumental tour history. First coming to our shores on the back of a Tool/Rammstein fronted BDO, the band’s next venture over here was as guests to a gargantuan stadium tour with Mumford and Sons. They’ve kept up this record to this date, this time as guests to the prestigious Bluesfest, playing the Palace during its dying days to the joy of Melbourne fans too poor/busy to head up to Byron Bay. And joyous certainly is the mood for the night, with the floor packed full of fans almost from the minute of open doors.
Alongside the LA folk act were New South Wales alternative group MT Warning. Fresh off the back of Texas’s SxSW festival, the band showcases just what got them onto the festival with an explosive opener. As vocalist and guitarist Mikey Bee writhes around onstage to the sound of crashing drums, his guitar wails in a way that’s painful yet hypnotising. The energy can be felt in the walls themselves, but sadly it’s not something that can be held up. As the slower songs of the set take shape, you can sense the audience growing disinterested and somewhat bored. And while by the end of the set things certainly had picked up speed and energy again, the damage had already been done, and the biggest cheer before the gig goes not to Mt Warning, but to the Mumford and Sons track played over the P.A.
As the Magnetic Zeros take their places between more differing instruments than most orchestras, there is no sign of the continuous cheering stopping soon, and this show displays good reason why. The set comes off like a deranged Frankenstein’s monster of equal parts Bob Dylan, Pink Floyd, and the Wizard of Oz. Playing a set that seemed to half be taken up of requests and random jam sessions, the showmanship of the ten piece was truly outstanding. With everyone onstage trading instruments, singing their own songs, and giving little nods to the audience here and there, it was hard to feel out of place in the Palace that night.
Throughout the night every one of the ten members onstage takes the spotlight, whether it be for a soaring acoustic ballad or a funk inspired gospel track. However, some of the most beautiful moments were when the fans were invited to take the spotlight. As front man (or at least, the closest thing to it) Alex takes a card from the crowd, he reads it out back to everyone while the band play on, incorporating its content perfectly with the music being played. These little moments made it feel like the world’s largest intimate gig, and if it weren’t for the upcoming Bluesfest set’s it might hold that title for a little longer. It’s a skill that entices even the most uninformed listener and turns them into a massive fan.
After about ten minutes of straight cheering once the band had left the stage (a feat which put the opening screams to shame), the group made their way out once again. And as per their inclusive styling, the first proceedings were picking out three girls for the front row to join them onstage on various percussion instruments. As they played on into the night well over the deadline, the crowd showed no sign of slowing. After all, it was their night as well, and they were making the most of it.
Ben Spencer
Alongside the LA folk act were New South Wales alternative group MT Warning. Fresh off the back of Texas’s SxSW festival, the band showcases just what got them onto the festival with an explosive opener. As vocalist and guitarist Mikey Bee writhes around onstage to the sound of crashing drums, his guitar wails in a way that’s painful yet hypnotising. The energy can be felt in the walls themselves, but sadly it’s not something that can be held up. As the slower songs of the set take shape, you can sense the audience growing disinterested and somewhat bored. And while by the end of the set things certainly had picked up speed and energy again, the damage had already been done, and the biggest cheer before the gig goes not to Mt Warning, but to the Mumford and Sons track played over the P.A.
As the Magnetic Zeros take their places between more differing instruments than most orchestras, there is no sign of the continuous cheering stopping soon, and this show displays good reason why. The set comes off like a deranged Frankenstein’s monster of equal parts Bob Dylan, Pink Floyd, and the Wizard of Oz. Playing a set that seemed to half be taken up of requests and random jam sessions, the showmanship of the ten piece was truly outstanding. With everyone onstage trading instruments, singing their own songs, and giving little nods to the audience here and there, it was hard to feel out of place in the Palace that night.
Throughout the night every one of the ten members onstage takes the spotlight, whether it be for a soaring acoustic ballad or a funk inspired gospel track. However, some of the most beautiful moments were when the fans were invited to take the spotlight. As front man (or at least, the closest thing to it) Alex takes a card from the crowd, he reads it out back to everyone while the band play on, incorporating its content perfectly with the music being played. These little moments made it feel like the world’s largest intimate gig, and if it weren’t for the upcoming Bluesfest set’s it might hold that title for a little longer. It’s a skill that entices even the most uninformed listener and turns them into a massive fan.
After about ten minutes of straight cheering once the band had left the stage (a feat which put the opening screams to shame), the group made their way out once again. And as per their inclusive styling, the first proceedings were picking out three girls for the front row to join them onstage on various percussion instruments. As they played on into the night well over the deadline, the crowd showed no sign of slowing. After all, it was their night as well, and they were making the most of it.
Ben Spencer