Metric, Glass Towers @ The Tivoli, Brisbane (11/12/2013)
The last time I saw Metric live was a year ago at Splendour in the Grass, when twenty minutes into their set the power cut out, and they only ended up playing ten minutes more. So with the promise of a full set from the indie-pop Canadians, I ventured to the Tivoli looking to get my proper fix of Metric on the Synthetica tour.
Sydney’s Glass Towers brought their brand of jangly-guitar based rock to the stage for a set full of songs from 2013 album Halcyon Days. Having never seen them before, I was pleasantly surprised at their sharp sound and looks, getting through a plethora of upbeat and danceable tunes including fan favourite Jumanji which nicely warmed up the crowd for the main act.
Metric took to the stage in a subdued manner, opening with the closing song from 2012’s Synthetica, the slow building Nothing But Time. From then on though, it was hit after jump-up-and-down hit, with Emily Hynes revving the crowd up through Youth Without Youth and Help I’m Alive. An early highlight came from 2004’s Empty, with the band drawing out the middle breakdown jam into an epic clap-along.
Hynes was a ball of energy, prancing around the stage, showcasing aerobics moves, but also capable of some amazing banter between songs, varying on topics from politics to the state of the music industry. But guitarist James Shaw wasn’t to be outdone, pulling out some amazing finger work during the numerous extended solos throughout the set, including a truly memorable and spellbinding outro to Gold Guns Girls.
A key highlight of the show was The Police and the Private, a song which featured only Hynes’ beautiful and emotional voice and Shaw’s guitar plucking, with the crowd in total silence. However the band still know how to bring the energy and liveliness to the stage, finishing the main set in a flourish of Dead Disco and Stadium Love, leaving the crowd in raptures and begging for more.
Metric delivered, returning to play out the night with a heartfelt acoustic version of their biggest song to date, Gimme Sympathy to end what was a truly special night. It was two hours of fantastic lighting (including some intense strobing) and sound, an up-for-it crowd and a band who know how to put on an unforgettable and inspiring show.
Sebastian Betten
Sydney’s Glass Towers brought their brand of jangly-guitar based rock to the stage for a set full of songs from 2013 album Halcyon Days. Having never seen them before, I was pleasantly surprised at their sharp sound and looks, getting through a plethora of upbeat and danceable tunes including fan favourite Jumanji which nicely warmed up the crowd for the main act.
Metric took to the stage in a subdued manner, opening with the closing song from 2012’s Synthetica, the slow building Nothing But Time. From then on though, it was hit after jump-up-and-down hit, with Emily Hynes revving the crowd up through Youth Without Youth and Help I’m Alive. An early highlight came from 2004’s Empty, with the band drawing out the middle breakdown jam into an epic clap-along.
Hynes was a ball of energy, prancing around the stage, showcasing aerobics moves, but also capable of some amazing banter between songs, varying on topics from politics to the state of the music industry. But guitarist James Shaw wasn’t to be outdone, pulling out some amazing finger work during the numerous extended solos throughout the set, including a truly memorable and spellbinding outro to Gold Guns Girls.
A key highlight of the show was The Police and the Private, a song which featured only Hynes’ beautiful and emotional voice and Shaw’s guitar plucking, with the crowd in total silence. However the band still know how to bring the energy and liveliness to the stage, finishing the main set in a flourish of Dead Disco and Stadium Love, leaving the crowd in raptures and begging for more.
Metric delivered, returning to play out the night with a heartfelt acoustic version of their biggest song to date, Gimme Sympathy to end what was a truly special night. It was two hours of fantastic lighting (including some intense strobing) and sound, an up-for-it crowd and a band who know how to put on an unforgettable and inspiring show.
Sebastian Betten