You Have To Engage Them
In the same way that I was uneasy about seeing You Am I at The Forum last month, I was also uneasy about seeing Augie March play there last night. Last time I saw them at this gorgeous theatre, it was at the height of their Strange Bird powers in November, 2002. Sadly, whether it was the enormity of the venue or even the promotional machine, that gig didn’t quite reach the heights it had promised. Last night though was different, yet importantly, no different to any regular Augie gig – full of cheeky banter from drummer Dave Williams, stoic and reliable backing from Ed, Adam and Kiernan, and grimaces and shakes of the head from Glenn Richards whose dry wit never suffers even when he’s at his most irritated.
The laid-back “Baron Of Sentiment” kicked off the main set, followed by “Cold Acre”, and the gentle, swaying “Mother Greer”. Ostensibly, the set was dominated by material from their most recent long-player, such as the scorching “Just Passing Through” and the lazy, grandiose “The Honey Month”. “Stranger Strange”, with its drum-heavy beat throughout, sounded as fresh and compelling as when I first heard it earlier this year, and the crowd was also treated to the sweet “Bolte And Dunstan Talk Youth”. Although it's no live staple, it still sounded perfect.
I think that regardless of the volumes of new material they release, Augie will never shake off the earnest demands for material from Sunset Studies at live shows. At one point during the evening Glenn wryly suggested that although he was aware that everyone wanted to hear stuff from the first album, it didn’t mean he would relent. Fortunately though, he did. And amongst last night’s finest moments you could find “Tulip” (even though some of the words are now lost in the recesses of Glenn’s mind), “Owen’s Lament” (complete with whistling) and the epic, description-defying “Hole In Your Roof”. Hearing those latter two numbers in the one show, one after the other, was something else.
Two other standout tunes were the subdued “Sunstroke House”, featuring Dave on ukelele and Kiernan on piano accordion. And “Brundisium” was just as seedy and soiled as ever, despite some tripping up on the words. From his vantage point at the rear of the stage, Dave was in fine form all evening, providing a veritable antidote to Glenn’s cynicism and frustration in the form of playful cajoling and chatter. Particularly funny was his anecdote relating to the last time the band played at The Forum. Lamenting the poor response of the crowd to his story, he stated bluntly, “That story was s***house.” At that point Glenn offered the suggestion, “You have to engage them, Dave”.
Well … yet again, they sure did.
The laid-back “Baron Of Sentiment” kicked off the main set, followed by “Cold Acre”, and the gentle, swaying “Mother Greer”. Ostensibly, the set was dominated by material from their most recent long-player, such as the scorching “Just Passing Through” and the lazy, grandiose “The Honey Month”. “Stranger Strange”, with its drum-heavy beat throughout, sounded as fresh and compelling as when I first heard it earlier this year, and the crowd was also treated to the sweet “Bolte And Dunstan Talk Youth”. Although it's no live staple, it still sounded perfect.
I think that regardless of the volumes of new material they release, Augie will never shake off the earnest demands for material from Sunset Studies at live shows. At one point during the evening Glenn wryly suggested that although he was aware that everyone wanted to hear stuff from the first album, it didn’t mean he would relent. Fortunately though, he did. And amongst last night’s finest moments you could find “Tulip” (even though some of the words are now lost in the recesses of Glenn’s mind), “Owen’s Lament” (complete with whistling) and the epic, description-defying “Hole In Your Roof”. Hearing those latter two numbers in the one show, one after the other, was something else.
Two other standout tunes were the subdued “Sunstroke House”, featuring Dave on ukelele and Kiernan on piano accordion. And “Brundisium” was just as seedy and soiled as ever, despite some tripping up on the words. From his vantage point at the rear of the stage, Dave was in fine form all evening, providing a veritable antidote to Glenn’s cynicism and frustration in the form of playful cajoling and chatter. Particularly funny was his anecdote relating to the last time the band played at The Forum. Lamenting the poor response of the crowd to his story, he stated bluntly, “That story was s***house.” At that point Glenn offered the suggestion, “You have to engage them, Dave”.
Well … yet again, they sure did.
posted by yossarian | 5:42 PM
3 Comments:
Another great review Yossarian!
Understand the hesitation with big venues but can easily say I preferred it this time 'round than back in '03 during the Strange Bird tour- although no fault of the musicians of course!
I really liked hearing Bolte & Dunstan live for the first time too! We sure were spoilt with all those great songs. Next time: smaller venues in November.
don't read too much into it as you and others know where i stand on the augiologic front...
however, this is another damn fine review. i reckon this sort of writing might be the kind to invite people a second look to these minstrels' music. some might even be inspired to buy their records...I don't know who these people are, but your review may very well be the best way to rally people to your cause. keep up the good work! hope your writing's going well too!
aw, thanks for the positive feedback - good to see that you peeps are partaking in my procrastinatory writing and enjoying it!
... just wish my other writing could flow as well as my blogging - just spent the last half hour over a work-related email that was only three lines long!!
Post a Comment
<< Home