Snakadaktal (Farewell Show), City Calm Down, Alan Palano, Rat & Co. @ The Northcote Social Club, Melbourne (29/03/2014)
Walking into Northcote Social club there was no argument as to whether it was a fitting place to showcase Snakadaktal’s last ever show. With the venues cool, calm and collected vibe it was no surprise pre show to overhear a couple of members of the band asking if they could chuck on some house music over the PA to get the party started.
The local group whose success had blown up since winning Triple J’s Unearthed High competition made their announcement only a mere two weeks ago via Facebook telling their fans that they thought it was “time to move on.” However with an impressive showcase of openers it was clear that they’d brought as many of their friends along for one last ride at this sold out farewell show.
First up were youngsters Alan Palano who opened up with a wonderful folk rock set including a hats off cover of Miike Snows' Animal, it almost seemed both ironic and fitting that the farewell of one great young band introduced us to what will surely be one of the next bands to watch in the Indie scene.
Next up were Rat & Co the ambient, electronic project of Joshua Delaney who pronounced it fitting that they would support Snakadaktals last gig considering their first show was supporting them.
As the room started to fill, the creaks and moans of NSC floors rumbled as Indie heartbreakers City Calm Down took the stage. As usual frontman Jack Bourke’s voice had the crowd swooning for more. By the time they broke out ‘Sense of Self,’ the room was full of energy and it was clear that this crowd had come to dance.
As the support crew pulled back the curtains, the now jammed floorspace was buzzing with adrenalin awaiting the final on stage appearance of Snakadaktal. From left to right the crowd was buzzing with fans who couldn't believe that this was the last show of a band they all loved so much.
As the curtains finally opened there was a distinct warm glow to the stage thanks to a number or warm orange floor lamps which Phoebe Cockburn proclaimed were the bands own lamps from home that they thought fitting to bring along.
The build up of blissful opener ‘Union’ was quickly replaced with an erupting roar from the crowd upon the first few bars of ‘Hung On Tight’. When the band led into radio single ‘Air’ you could tell that it was a a band favourite. The euphoric chants showcased Cockburn and Sean Heathcliff’s ability to really work off each other vocally.
As the set rolled on you couldn't help but be saddened watching a group of talented young musicians perform such great songs for the very last time. The crowd didn't falter either still singing and jumping along right through to the conclusion of ‘Dance Bear’ where Kelly took to the mic to lay down the formalities of the night.
Proclaiming that Snakadaktal was always just a group of friends getting together to make and play music, Heathcliff’s admiration and love for the rest of his bandmates was replaced by a sombre and remorseful tone when Phoebe highlighted that the next song would be their last ever song performed as a group.
The band dived head first into their three part finale song ‘The Sun’ with part II really hitting home for the crowd. At this stage the front of the crowd was resembling that of a much larger festival show with fans clamouring to get on others shoulders to both confess their love and get that one last instagram shot before the opportunity was lost forever.
As ‘The Sun III’ finished and the band shared their last onstage hug, the crowd was literally left screaming for more. With the venue lights remaining dim, the crowd pleaded for an encore. It was clear however that they would not return. Slowly but surely the house lights came on and the fans moans and pleads became realisations that this mystical Snakadaktal: part snake, part pterodactyl was extinct and would be no more.
Geoffrey D'Unienville
The local group whose success had blown up since winning Triple J’s Unearthed High competition made their announcement only a mere two weeks ago via Facebook telling their fans that they thought it was “time to move on.” However with an impressive showcase of openers it was clear that they’d brought as many of their friends along for one last ride at this sold out farewell show.
First up were youngsters Alan Palano who opened up with a wonderful folk rock set including a hats off cover of Miike Snows' Animal, it almost seemed both ironic and fitting that the farewell of one great young band introduced us to what will surely be one of the next bands to watch in the Indie scene.
Next up were Rat & Co the ambient, electronic project of Joshua Delaney who pronounced it fitting that they would support Snakadaktals last gig considering their first show was supporting them.
As the room started to fill, the creaks and moans of NSC floors rumbled as Indie heartbreakers City Calm Down took the stage. As usual frontman Jack Bourke’s voice had the crowd swooning for more. By the time they broke out ‘Sense of Self,’ the room was full of energy and it was clear that this crowd had come to dance.
As the support crew pulled back the curtains, the now jammed floorspace was buzzing with adrenalin awaiting the final on stage appearance of Snakadaktal. From left to right the crowd was buzzing with fans who couldn't believe that this was the last show of a band they all loved so much.
As the curtains finally opened there was a distinct warm glow to the stage thanks to a number or warm orange floor lamps which Phoebe Cockburn proclaimed were the bands own lamps from home that they thought fitting to bring along.
The build up of blissful opener ‘Union’ was quickly replaced with an erupting roar from the crowd upon the first few bars of ‘Hung On Tight’. When the band led into radio single ‘Air’ you could tell that it was a a band favourite. The euphoric chants showcased Cockburn and Sean Heathcliff’s ability to really work off each other vocally.
As the set rolled on you couldn't help but be saddened watching a group of talented young musicians perform such great songs for the very last time. The crowd didn't falter either still singing and jumping along right through to the conclusion of ‘Dance Bear’ where Kelly took to the mic to lay down the formalities of the night.
Proclaiming that Snakadaktal was always just a group of friends getting together to make and play music, Heathcliff’s admiration and love for the rest of his bandmates was replaced by a sombre and remorseful tone when Phoebe highlighted that the next song would be their last ever song performed as a group.
The band dived head first into their three part finale song ‘The Sun’ with part II really hitting home for the crowd. At this stage the front of the crowd was resembling that of a much larger festival show with fans clamouring to get on others shoulders to both confess their love and get that one last instagram shot before the opportunity was lost forever.
As ‘The Sun III’ finished and the band shared their last onstage hug, the crowd was literally left screaming for more. With the venue lights remaining dim, the crowd pleaded for an encore. It was clear however that they would not return. Slowly but surely the house lights came on and the fans moans and pleads became realisations that this mystical Snakadaktal: part snake, part pterodactyl was extinct and would be no more.
Geoffrey D'Unienville