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ART OF FIGHTING / LITTLE RED / THE HOLY ROSE |
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Thursday, 04 October 2007 |
The Zoo Fri Sep 28
The Zoo is obviously expecting a much more laid back audience tonight as all of the tables and chairs are located in front of the stage. The promising thing is most of these chairs are full as tonight's one-man opener The Holy Rose (aka Gareth Edwards) takes to the stage. He looks a lonely figure as his quiet, indie-folk musings struggle to reach the people at the back. However, this does not in anyway detract from his performance, but adds a fragile charm to his well received set.
Self-proclaimed "world's grooviest white R & B vocal group" Little Red are up next and take to the stage looking extremely sharp with all members sporting suits. The Melbourne five-piece are not so much R & B, but more a pallatable blend of sixties pop and indie rock. They are an energetic bunch, constantly switching lead vocalists and sharing microphones for a never-ending stream of doo-wop harmonies. While the crowd seem to enjoy their performance, it's hard not to note the band seems at its strongest when bass player Quang Dinh takes up vocal duties. This fact aside, the band is a very tight unit and their energy contagious, coaxing more than a few people out of their seats and on to the dance floor. They are kind of a strange choice as a support given the much slower tendencies of tonight's headliners.
There is now a very respectable crowd gathered at the front of stage as Melbourne 's Art of Fighting stroll into view. Despite having minimal commercial success and not being thrashed on radio, Art of Fighting have a sizeable following of dedicated fans. This is easily understandable given the songwriting talent involved in the band. Front man Ollie Browne is a remarkable performer, and sings every song like he is singing it for the first time. Although they've been doing this for quite a bit of their adult lives, the band never once looks tired or bored. They pull tracks from their latest album Runaways and while they are well recieved, it's the material from their 2004 sophomore release Second Storey that the crowd reacts loudest to. Bassist Peggy Frew steps up to take lead vocals on a few tracks and although her voice breaks slightly, it doesn't take away from her obvious talent as a songwriter. It's difficult to describe exactly what it is about Art of Fighting that hooks you in, but one thing is certain, they display such a love for their craft during their performances it's hard not to be drawn in with them.
KURT SANDERS
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 09 October 2007 )
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