Metric, Glass Towers, Spirit Valley @ The Forum, Melbourne (09/12/2013)
The crowd at the Forum Theatre was full of many different people, old and young, dyed hair and nose piercings. It’s not surprising that so many people were there when Metric pride themselves on being different.
Metric are currently touring around the world for their latest album, Synthetica, which has really pushed them into the spotlight. Even after having some great albums out, such as Fantasies and Grow Up And Blow Away, they have graced Australia with their presence by performing in Melbourne to start there leg of the Australian tour.
The Forum had a very small crowd for the first lineup band. Everyone there early was hoping to get a good spot in the pit for the Canadian band. Spirit Valley was on stage tuning up before they kicked into their first ambient number. Using the full extent of the Forum’s acoustics they slowly built up their first song, Forever, for a big finish getting a good reaction from the small crowd.
The Sydney duo, Dave Spirit and Chris Valley, may be small in people but are definitely not lacking in sound. The drummer had good rhythm and liked to bring out a wooden flute for mini high pitched solos. While the lead singer had a rough and gritty voice. The band’s laid back attitude was well liked by those in the crowd.
Up next was Glass Towers, the four piece band kicked right into their set with a bigger crowd gathering. While playing a great set, the band doesn’t have a big presence on stage. But that didn’t stop them from getting the crowd moving. The band had their awkward quirks with lead singer, Benjamin Hannam, being the chattiest of the band. Kudos to the lead guitarist, Sam Speck, who is trying to find the best way to dance while playing the guitar. Don’t worry, you’ll get there. The band kicked off with Lust For Life and In This City which are both off their latest album Halcyon Days. The band had the crowd moving with a great start to the set with jangly guitar and soaring riffs.
Tonight, You’re Better and Castles amped the crowd up. This is around the time when the band became a little more interactive with the crowd and slowed down the pace with Foreign Time. Overall the band played a reasonable set, getting everyone ready for the band they had all been waiting for.
Metric was eagerly waited for by all. When the lights went off and the smoke started to rise off the stage, Metric came on to stage with a massive roar from the crowd. Lead singer, Emily Haines, was glowing from the glitter on her face and the gold tassels on her jacket. The band went straight into Nothing But Time off their album, Synthetica.
Ending Start and Empty, both off an older album Live it Out, was played with a newer twist and lighting up the hearts of long-time fans. Help I’m Alive, an old favourite, had many jumping up and down. While Love Is A Place was done acoustically with just Haines and guitarist James Shaw. Haines explained this song was about how they travel a lot and having to make do with the many different places they visit. Many couples in the crowd were seen kissing to the romantic sounding song. Title track, Synthetica, picked up the pace as a crowd favourite, followed by Clone.
Breathing Underwater was another favourite of the audience, with Haines explaining about the “not so subtle hint” about struggling through life. Sick Muse, Dead Disco and Stadium Love were played with Haines jumping over the stage and pulling faces at the crowd. The moving bodies of the crowd was a mix between jumping up and down, and moving side to side. For a few minutes the band went off stage for a breather. The crowd got restless and demanded an encore. Eagerly awaiting, they were rewarded with the big hit Black Sheep, which is showcased on the movie Scott Pilgrim Vs The World. Two more older tracks, The Police And The Private and Glass Ceiling were new for some and great reminders for others.
Metric finished off with an acoustic version of Gimme Sympathy with Haines and Shaw. Bassist, Joshua Winstead, and drummer, Joules Scott-Key, came out the front of the stage and all waved to the crowd. A lucky few were able to shake hands with some of the band members.
Metric performed a fantastic concert with the pitch perfect singing and crazy dancing of Haines, fantastic guitar playing of Shaw, Winstead’s serious and excited bass playing, and Scott-Key’s great sense of rhythm, bringing together a really good set. It’s no surprise that people wanted to come to their concert when they played such an amazing performance. Metric are also playing in Brisbane on the 11th and Sydney on the 12th of this month. They are a definite must-see-live band.
Elizabeth Alderslade
Metric are currently touring around the world for their latest album, Synthetica, which has really pushed them into the spotlight. Even after having some great albums out, such as Fantasies and Grow Up And Blow Away, they have graced Australia with their presence by performing in Melbourne to start there leg of the Australian tour.
The Forum had a very small crowd for the first lineup band. Everyone there early was hoping to get a good spot in the pit for the Canadian band. Spirit Valley was on stage tuning up before they kicked into their first ambient number. Using the full extent of the Forum’s acoustics they slowly built up their first song, Forever, for a big finish getting a good reaction from the small crowd.
The Sydney duo, Dave Spirit and Chris Valley, may be small in people but are definitely not lacking in sound. The drummer had good rhythm and liked to bring out a wooden flute for mini high pitched solos. While the lead singer had a rough and gritty voice. The band’s laid back attitude was well liked by those in the crowd.
Up next was Glass Towers, the four piece band kicked right into their set with a bigger crowd gathering. While playing a great set, the band doesn’t have a big presence on stage. But that didn’t stop them from getting the crowd moving. The band had their awkward quirks with lead singer, Benjamin Hannam, being the chattiest of the band. Kudos to the lead guitarist, Sam Speck, who is trying to find the best way to dance while playing the guitar. Don’t worry, you’ll get there. The band kicked off with Lust For Life and In This City which are both off their latest album Halcyon Days. The band had the crowd moving with a great start to the set with jangly guitar and soaring riffs.
Tonight, You’re Better and Castles amped the crowd up. This is around the time when the band became a little more interactive with the crowd and slowed down the pace with Foreign Time. Overall the band played a reasonable set, getting everyone ready for the band they had all been waiting for.
Metric was eagerly waited for by all. When the lights went off and the smoke started to rise off the stage, Metric came on to stage with a massive roar from the crowd. Lead singer, Emily Haines, was glowing from the glitter on her face and the gold tassels on her jacket. The band went straight into Nothing But Time off their album, Synthetica.
Ending Start and Empty, both off an older album Live it Out, was played with a newer twist and lighting up the hearts of long-time fans. Help I’m Alive, an old favourite, had many jumping up and down. While Love Is A Place was done acoustically with just Haines and guitarist James Shaw. Haines explained this song was about how they travel a lot and having to make do with the many different places they visit. Many couples in the crowd were seen kissing to the romantic sounding song. Title track, Synthetica, picked up the pace as a crowd favourite, followed by Clone.
Breathing Underwater was another favourite of the audience, with Haines explaining about the “not so subtle hint” about struggling through life. Sick Muse, Dead Disco and Stadium Love were played with Haines jumping over the stage and pulling faces at the crowd. The moving bodies of the crowd was a mix between jumping up and down, and moving side to side. For a few minutes the band went off stage for a breather. The crowd got restless and demanded an encore. Eagerly awaiting, they were rewarded with the big hit Black Sheep, which is showcased on the movie Scott Pilgrim Vs The World. Two more older tracks, The Police And The Private and Glass Ceiling were new for some and great reminders for others.
Metric finished off with an acoustic version of Gimme Sympathy with Haines and Shaw. Bassist, Joshua Winstead, and drummer, Joules Scott-Key, came out the front of the stage and all waved to the crowd. A lucky few were able to shake hands with some of the band members.
Metric performed a fantastic concert with the pitch perfect singing and crazy dancing of Haines, fantastic guitar playing of Shaw, Winstead’s serious and excited bass playing, and Scott-Key’s great sense of rhythm, bringing together a really good set. It’s no surprise that people wanted to come to their concert when they played such an amazing performance. Metric are also playing in Brisbane on the 11th and Sydney on the 12th of this month. They are a definite must-see-live band.
Elizabeth Alderslade