Tigertown, The Starry Field, Catherine Rowlands @ The Bella Union, Melbourne (15/06/2013)
Photo by Angie Osman
If you haven’t been inside the stunning space that is Bella Union, situated inside the Trades Hall of Melbourne, you are yet to discover a hidden hub of creative energy. High ceilings, union flags and a handful of old sofas adorn the historic open space that used to be the Old Council Chambers. A makeshift bar and a darling cocktail menu make the experience all the sweeter.
Tigertown are from that (in)famous part of New South Wales affectionately known as The Shire, and there is not a hint of peroxide or bogan among their tribe. They broke onto the indie scene in 2011 when an EP recorded independently at home got into the hands of the good people at Triple J. Since then, their star has risen steadily, spreading their family love further through joyous, warm, infectious indie-pop.
The first support was Perth ex-pat Catherine Rowlands, armed with an electric guitar and a loop pedal. Rowlands mesmerised the growing crowd with ethereal, chilling vocals somewhere at the crossroads of Florence Welch and Kate Bush. Grungey guitar riffs and plaintive song-writing filled the space, and all of a sudden sipping a martini on a sofa became hipster.
Main support act The Starry Field, hailing from further North in Cairns, came with their big-hearted alternative-country to warm the crowd for the headline act. The musical baby of Mark Myers, who has thankfully not disappeared since the dissolution of wonderful The Middle East, The Starry Field have released debut LP Back On The Milks.
When Tigertown took to the stage, the on-stage chemistry of not only the married couple at the centre of the band, but all five musicians was palpable and all-consuming. The vibe was positive and the love flowed from the stage to everyone in the Trades Hall that night.
Lead singer Charlie has an infectious presence, and the passion she shares with husband and lead guitarist/vocalist Chris is obvious immediately. The kinship and camaraderie amongst the whole band is real and is indeed a rare sight – two families united through a shared love of music.
The Tigertown sound is bright and laced with pop harmonies and anthemic drum riffs. Go Now is a stand-out track in the live set, and with its melodic refrain it’s easy to hear how it earned the band radio spins in 2011.
No encore (always refreshing), and the final song ‘Morning Has Finally Come’ was a joyous rendition of a quality slice of indie-pop magic.
A special band at a special venue made for a very special night of live music in a chilly Melbourne.
Rebecca McCann
Tigertown are from that (in)famous part of New South Wales affectionately known as The Shire, and there is not a hint of peroxide or bogan among their tribe. They broke onto the indie scene in 2011 when an EP recorded independently at home got into the hands of the good people at Triple J. Since then, their star has risen steadily, spreading their family love further through joyous, warm, infectious indie-pop.
The first support was Perth ex-pat Catherine Rowlands, armed with an electric guitar and a loop pedal. Rowlands mesmerised the growing crowd with ethereal, chilling vocals somewhere at the crossroads of Florence Welch and Kate Bush. Grungey guitar riffs and plaintive song-writing filled the space, and all of a sudden sipping a martini on a sofa became hipster.
Main support act The Starry Field, hailing from further North in Cairns, came with their big-hearted alternative-country to warm the crowd for the headline act. The musical baby of Mark Myers, who has thankfully not disappeared since the dissolution of wonderful The Middle East, The Starry Field have released debut LP Back On The Milks.
When Tigertown took to the stage, the on-stage chemistry of not only the married couple at the centre of the band, but all five musicians was palpable and all-consuming. The vibe was positive and the love flowed from the stage to everyone in the Trades Hall that night.
Lead singer Charlie has an infectious presence, and the passion she shares with husband and lead guitarist/vocalist Chris is obvious immediately. The kinship and camaraderie amongst the whole band is real and is indeed a rare sight – two families united through a shared love of music.
The Tigertown sound is bright and laced with pop harmonies and anthemic drum riffs. Go Now is a stand-out track in the live set, and with its melodic refrain it’s easy to hear how it earned the band radio spins in 2011.
No encore (always refreshing), and the final song ‘Morning Has Finally Come’ was a joyous rendition of a quality slice of indie-pop magic.
A special band at a special venue made for a very special night of live music in a chilly Melbourne.
Rebecca McCann