Eskimo Joe, Pluto Jonze @ The Metro Theatre, Sydney (25/10/2013)
With a career spanning more than fifteen years, six records and various music awards Eskimo Joe presented a show that satisfied both new and old fans.
Held at the Metro Theatre, the space provided adequate room for the crowd and provided excellent lighting, which cleared the figures on stages that were shrouded in smoke. Unfortunately, sound was an issue at one point or another with slight feedback coming through the speakers. But nothing could have taken away from the show the boys (now men) of Eskimo Joe provided.
Opening the night was Sydney based Pluto Jonze, who was vibrant, eccentric and gave a Bowie feel while he performed. Lining the stage with televisions and a computer monitor, these props played a vital part of the show relaying video clips that tied into each song and provided a great visual element to the performance.
Definitely a talented performer, Pluto proved quite versatile on a range of instruments that again strengthened what was on offer. From keyboard, harmonica, tambourine to the unique teremin there was a plethora of things going on at a single point. In here lies the slight problem; there was so much happening at any given moment in the performance that it was hard to appreciate how talented this act truly was.
It was felt throughout the crowd, who were unresponsive to any of the offerings from this 80’s pop inspired act. The fault didn’t lie with the support band though, with such a seasoned crowd, the people were here to see one thing only and that was for Eskimo Joe to deliver them a nostalgic hit, laced with the better parts of youthful rock.
As Kav, Joel & Stuart were welcomed to the stage, it is clear to see that they too have grown up, smartly dressed and radiating an aura of professionalism, they gave high hopes for a strong performance.
Opening with Running Out Of Needs this electro rock hit off the Wastelands album was executed well, but seemed to fall short with a majority of the crowd, as if it was an indicator of what they didn’t want to see.
Two more tracks off the new album and finally the band dipped into their back catalogue, a trigger that clicked with the crowd and awoken many of those who took comfort in their phones. The tracks Smoke & London Bombs had people swaying about and finally breaking from the stiffness they adopted for the newer material.
Three quarters through, Kav mentioned the band’s earlier days with a distinct fondness for the music show Rage and the one instance that Bill Walters featured. It acted as a bridge to introduce a smooth blend of Ain’t No Sunshine and A Song Is A City, with no beat missed or note out of key, this was an uplifting combination that reflects the talent of these experienced rockers.
Shifting between the new and old, you could see who made up a majority of the audience tonight, though the tour was to support the release of Wastelands the people were interested in only their favorite ‘classics’ of the band.
During the end of Love is a Drug there was a special moment that I can say represents the intensity of the performance. As Kav left the stage only Stuart and Joel remained with the accompanying musicians. It was here in a raw moment of emotion that as they played, you could see on their faces their commitment, their passion and their love for what they do and I believe it is such an intense feeling to witness purely from a spectator’s perspective.
To spice things up during the encore, Kav and crew appeared cladded in UV paint under a black light to present From The Sea fueled by the remaining energy stored for this finale. The crowd gave it back just as much as Eskimo Joe delivered, ending the show with support from the crowd, slowly dimming their “whoa-ohs” to the fading guitar work until, they were left in silence and appreciation for what transpired.
To re-iterate, ffiteen years, six albums and many music awards, Eskimo Joe have attained a level of showmanship, professionalism and talent that such a night was natural for them. There were no tense moments or need to win anyone over with gimmicks, just pure enjoyable rock.
Wastelands may not have been received as well as the band hoped but the crowd present tonight showed something much greater. These are people have been committed to the band for a good number of years and even now are willing to come out and support an iconic Australian band.
Scott Singh
Held at the Metro Theatre, the space provided adequate room for the crowd and provided excellent lighting, which cleared the figures on stages that were shrouded in smoke. Unfortunately, sound was an issue at one point or another with slight feedback coming through the speakers. But nothing could have taken away from the show the boys (now men) of Eskimo Joe provided.
Opening the night was Sydney based Pluto Jonze, who was vibrant, eccentric and gave a Bowie feel while he performed. Lining the stage with televisions and a computer monitor, these props played a vital part of the show relaying video clips that tied into each song and provided a great visual element to the performance.
Definitely a talented performer, Pluto proved quite versatile on a range of instruments that again strengthened what was on offer. From keyboard, harmonica, tambourine to the unique teremin there was a plethora of things going on at a single point. In here lies the slight problem; there was so much happening at any given moment in the performance that it was hard to appreciate how talented this act truly was.
It was felt throughout the crowd, who were unresponsive to any of the offerings from this 80’s pop inspired act. The fault didn’t lie with the support band though, with such a seasoned crowd, the people were here to see one thing only and that was for Eskimo Joe to deliver them a nostalgic hit, laced with the better parts of youthful rock.
As Kav, Joel & Stuart were welcomed to the stage, it is clear to see that they too have grown up, smartly dressed and radiating an aura of professionalism, they gave high hopes for a strong performance.
Opening with Running Out Of Needs this electro rock hit off the Wastelands album was executed well, but seemed to fall short with a majority of the crowd, as if it was an indicator of what they didn’t want to see.
Two more tracks off the new album and finally the band dipped into their back catalogue, a trigger that clicked with the crowd and awoken many of those who took comfort in their phones. The tracks Smoke & London Bombs had people swaying about and finally breaking from the stiffness they adopted for the newer material.
Three quarters through, Kav mentioned the band’s earlier days with a distinct fondness for the music show Rage and the one instance that Bill Walters featured. It acted as a bridge to introduce a smooth blend of Ain’t No Sunshine and A Song Is A City, with no beat missed or note out of key, this was an uplifting combination that reflects the talent of these experienced rockers.
Shifting between the new and old, you could see who made up a majority of the audience tonight, though the tour was to support the release of Wastelands the people were interested in only their favorite ‘classics’ of the band.
During the end of Love is a Drug there was a special moment that I can say represents the intensity of the performance. As Kav left the stage only Stuart and Joel remained with the accompanying musicians. It was here in a raw moment of emotion that as they played, you could see on their faces their commitment, their passion and their love for what they do and I believe it is such an intense feeling to witness purely from a spectator’s perspective.
To spice things up during the encore, Kav and crew appeared cladded in UV paint under a black light to present From The Sea fueled by the remaining energy stored for this finale. The crowd gave it back just as much as Eskimo Joe delivered, ending the show with support from the crowd, slowly dimming their “whoa-ohs” to the fading guitar work until, they were left in silence and appreciation for what transpired.
To re-iterate, ffiteen years, six albums and many music awards, Eskimo Joe have attained a level of showmanship, professionalism and talent that such a night was natural for them. There were no tense moments or need to win anyone over with gimmicks, just pure enjoyable rock.
Wastelands may not have been received as well as the band hoped but the crowd present tonight showed something much greater. These are people have been committed to the band for a good number of years and even now are willing to come out and support an iconic Australian band.
Scott Singh