There’s almost no need for Wil Wagner to even sing the lyrics of his songs anymore, as every utterance from the frontman is enthusiastically corroborated by every voice in the room.
This scene was then repeated over and over as The Smith Street Band delivered torrential renditions of songs from their hugely successful Sunshine and Technology LP to a brimming and sweat soaked Reverence Hotel.
Wagner has been a figure on the Melbourne music scene for a not insignificant time considering his age and in this time has accumulated a numerous and adherent fan base.
Thus it was no surprise to see that The Smith Street band’s triumphant return home from their first international tour saw punters scrambling for tickets to the sold out event.
Seeing them perform in an age plagued by crowds who are too cool to sing along, or too self indulgent to dance, affords one the use of clichés such as a ‘breath of fresh air’; because watching the four Melburnians arouse and engage with their punters so honestly quashes any lingering feeling that Australian music is suffering.
The appeal of the quartet seems to stem from the band’s honesty and unadulterated love of performing.
There’s no sanctimony about their frontman’s awkwardly charming banter, or drummer Chris Cowburn’s humorously irrelevant interjections, it’s plainly obvious that The Smith Street Band, despite their growing success, are merely four friends wholeheartedly devoted to performance and song writing, the fans and success are just a bonus.
Sunshine and Technology’s stand out single ‘Young Drunk’ seemed to evoke the most obvious crowd response, however it was a hard placed winner, as the reception for the entire set-list stood at fever pitch, with the constant image of sweat soaked limbs and sneakers coasting across the hands of fans affront the stage.
“Don’t try and sing along to this one, it’s new so nobody knows the words,” quips Wagner. “There’s always those three or so people who pretend to sing along even though they don’t know the lyrics though – I do that.”
Next came the song Wagner had written on the road, homage to his love of playing music, and in many ways a poignant expression of gratitude to the assembled fans.
Following cameos from members of opening act The Bennies, and even a mid-song, flawlessly executed drummer changeup, then it was a polite thanks and lights up for The Smith Street Band.
Despite calls for one or two more, the band politely made clear that they were not to oblige, and who could complain?
Following an utterly engaging, energetic and inherently genuine performance that is sure to see the local quartet march comfortably towards even bigger and better things.
