“This might be the best gig I’ve ever played.”
Cloud Control’s Heidi Lenffer relayed the words of bassist Jeremy Kelshaw from backstage, and it was clear to see why it was such a special show.
The Blue Mountains-come London four-piece triumphantly returned to Melbourne’s Forum Theatre on the back of the brilliant sophomore album Dream Cave, and showed the adoring crowd exactly why they’re such a highly respected live act.
Sydney-siders Gang Of Youths got things off to a slightly slow start with a jarring set of songs that featured some presumably Matt Corby-inspired vocals.
Thanks to a handful of rousing choruses the five-piece showed occasional signs of promise. However, the set was too often interrupted by awry harmonies and over-the-top stage antics.
Next up were fellow Sydney four-piece Palms. Frontman Al strode onto the large Forum stage and launched into a solo song. After quickly being joined by his three bandmates, they broke into an enjoyable set of fuzzy, rough around the edges garage rock.
After declaring, “Thank you for letting us scream at you for half an hour”, the energetic foursome finished the set with ‘This Last Year’ – a catchy song that’s already received some love from Triple J.
After an extended break, the much-loved main attraction rushed out onto stage. Huddled together, they launched into Dream Cave-opener ‘Scream Rave’.
Frontman Alister Wright, with his face veiled behind a hood, projected near-unrecognisable vocals. Filled with distortion, the track slowly built into first single ‘Dojo Rising’.
After removing his jacket to proudly reveal a t-shirt of his very own band, Wright revealed that the set was being recorded for Triple J’s ‘Live At The Wireless’. Unsurprisingly, the packed Melbourne crowd made sure their voices would be heard on the radio.
‘Happy Birthday’ – about a “cute guy” vocalist and keyboardist Heidi Lenffer met “on a bus in London” – typifies Cloud Control’s newfound ability to produce anthemic choruses. Epic songs that easily fill expansive venues like The Forum, with undeniably catchy words shouted back by the masses.
‘This Is What I Said’ provided the first taste of band’s debut LP, Bliss Release, clearly displaying the contrasts between the fun, upbeat pop of their early material, and the darker, heavier tones of Dream Cave. These contrasts ensured the set was engaging and constantly interesting, allowing each band member’s talents to shine.
Alister Wright has grown into a commanding frontman, with just the right amount of confidence, swagger, and charm to demand attention across the entire set.
The band’s much loved Like A Version cover of ‘Pursuit Of Happiness’ provided one of the biggest sing-alongs of the night, only beaten by its successor and the band’s breakthrough hit, ‘Gold Canary’.
The Forum is doubtlessly one of the best venues that Melbourne has to offer, providing a wonderful setting for the expats. “It’s one of our favourite venues to play, for obvious reasons,” Leffner exclaimed.
Even the venue’s security proved adept at providing some Crowd Control (sorry), calmly escorting out two seemingly lost stage invaders.
No doubt much to the annoyance of the security, Wright then encouraged the sea of people within the Forum to crowdsurf during Dream Cave standout ‘Promises’. Many were happy to oblige.
Heidi Lenffer continued to be an ethereal presence onstage, swaying in time with the music, and taking over full-time vocal duties on a number of songs.
Drummer Ulrich Lenffer and bassist Kelshaw cut equally mesmerising figures, with long hair obscuring their faces as they exuded copious amounts of energy.
‘There’s Nothing In The Water We Can’t Fight’ saw the band jumping in unison with the masses, detailing exactly why the band is such a good live act. It’s entirely obvious that they’re having just as much fun as the crowd is.
After a quick break, Wright’s powerful vocals led the title track from Dream Cave before the old-fan favourite ‘Buffalo Country’ brought the night to an end. But neither the band nor the crowd looked like they wanted to leave.
Cloud Control later posted that this show was “really special”, and you would be hard pressed to argue with that. It was a show that proved just how good an album Dream Cave is, as well as how polished and infectious the band have become.
