Something For Kate, The Orbweavers @ Melbourne Zoo Twilight Series, Melbourne (21/02/2014)
With the first clawing winter breezes cutting through the air, I arrive at the Melbourne zoo. Among a sea of picnic blankets, I find spot to set up a very sparse camp, and watch as indie trio The Orbweavers take their place on stage.
As vocalist/rhythm guitarist Marita Dyson introduces the intro song the Bower with a barrage of bird trivia, the audience seems less than enthralled with the appearance of a second act tonight. Still, the trio do a great job creating an atmosphere that echoes the venue, the vaguely post-rock guitar filling the field with dissonance. Despite an awkward start, the quickly win over a large portion of the crowd with their haunting near lullabyesque songs. However, the flow of the set is broken quite often by constant Australian "did you know?" facts, so it's understandable why there was that small tired stickler crowd.
As the night goes on it only gets colder, and at this point I severely regret not bringing a picnic blanket if only to wrap myself up in. After a quick waltz around the zoo to catch the feeding of the giraffes (or long horses, whichever you prefer), I return just in time to watch Something For Kate take their place upon the stage. Surging forth with electrifying force, the group begin their set with a revamped cover of The One I Love by R.E.M. with an excited energy that refuses to let up the entire set. The audience on the other hand is far more reserved with their enjoyment, or at least the acknowledgement of this asset.
The quiet clapping and nodding heads kept up all through hits such as Monster, but it always seemed like it was on the verge of exploding. As frontman Paul Dempsey announced his love of giraffes and wild dogs, at the same time the band delivered some truly beautiful melodies.
The highlight came near the end of the set, with the acoustic rendition of the track Deep Sea Divers. As they left the stage the first time, it was obvious the venue wanted more. Taking place onstage yet again, the band soar into their much adored cover of Sweet Nothings to begin the wrapping up of the night. Blasting through with the subtle intensity that the rest of the night's set has possessed, the three track encore is quickly over. That being said, that's all it took to push the crowd into the frenzy they had been waiting on all night, and the zoo witnessed its very first mosh.
Families pick up their gear and make their way to their cars quickly after the close, as Twilight has long since left. It’s not often that this opportunity for such an extravagant night out arises for an entire family, and as far as I can tell, they're glad that it happened.
Ben Spencer
As vocalist/rhythm guitarist Marita Dyson introduces the intro song the Bower with a barrage of bird trivia, the audience seems less than enthralled with the appearance of a second act tonight. Still, the trio do a great job creating an atmosphere that echoes the venue, the vaguely post-rock guitar filling the field with dissonance. Despite an awkward start, the quickly win over a large portion of the crowd with their haunting near lullabyesque songs. However, the flow of the set is broken quite often by constant Australian "did you know?" facts, so it's understandable why there was that small tired stickler crowd.
As the night goes on it only gets colder, and at this point I severely regret not bringing a picnic blanket if only to wrap myself up in. After a quick waltz around the zoo to catch the feeding of the giraffes (or long horses, whichever you prefer), I return just in time to watch Something For Kate take their place upon the stage. Surging forth with electrifying force, the group begin their set with a revamped cover of The One I Love by R.E.M. with an excited energy that refuses to let up the entire set. The audience on the other hand is far more reserved with their enjoyment, or at least the acknowledgement of this asset.
The quiet clapping and nodding heads kept up all through hits such as Monster, but it always seemed like it was on the verge of exploding. As frontman Paul Dempsey announced his love of giraffes and wild dogs, at the same time the band delivered some truly beautiful melodies.
The highlight came near the end of the set, with the acoustic rendition of the track Deep Sea Divers. As they left the stage the first time, it was obvious the venue wanted more. Taking place onstage yet again, the band soar into their much adored cover of Sweet Nothings to begin the wrapping up of the night. Blasting through with the subtle intensity that the rest of the night's set has possessed, the three track encore is quickly over. That being said, that's all it took to push the crowd into the frenzy they had been waiting on all night, and the zoo witnessed its very first mosh.
Families pick up their gear and make their way to their cars quickly after the close, as Twilight has long since left. It’s not often that this opportunity for such an extravagant night out arises for an entire family, and as far as I can tell, they're glad that it happened.
Ben Spencer