London-based quartet Veronica Falls are carving out a niche for themselves in amongst many other trendy acts to spawn from the UK and USA with their shambling, simply wistful 80s garage-pop.
Taking in Sydney and Melbourne for the first time as part of a broader Asia tour and in support of sophomore album Waiting For Something To Happen, the group were faced with a cosy and attentive Thursday night crowd.
Supports on the bill were locals Milk Teddy and Pearls, both creating swirling, shoe-gaze tunes that set the tone for the night.
After some minor troubles with guitarist James Hoare’s microphone, Veronica Falls opened with the surfy and nightmarish “Beachy Head”,its fast pace and foreboding “ahhs” from both Hoare and drummer Patrick Doyle stimulating excitement from the crowd.
While the garage aesthetic was the flavour of the night, from the get-go Veronica Falls set themselves apart with their sophisticated, tightened sound that is easy on the ears.
During the early part of the set, the foursome looked a little uncomfortable on stage, seemingly dissatisfied with the sound-mixing of their set. Once they were a few songs in, however, they found their stride and settled into their more poppy repertoire, reeling off “My Heart Still Beats” and “Tell Me” from the 2013 release. The folky overtones of these songs showcased one of their most pleasing qualities – great vocal harmonies. Frontwoman Roxanne Clifford’s sharp but sweet and well-tuned voice blended perfectly with the undercurrent of humming provided by Hoare and Doyle.
There was a welcome mood change in “Found Love In A Graveyard,” its haunting, minor melody and gothic imagery quite a contrast to the bopping tunes that preceded it. The song had a wonderful sense of build, beginning with sinister, ritualistic folk-guitar and chanting vocals. There was a rhythmic building of speed that turned into chaotic quick-strumming guitar driving with momentum into a full-bodied, anthemic chorus.
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The set was a fairly even spread of both old and new songs, including a single freshly released to coincide with the tour entitled “Nobody There” – a tune not dissimilar to their other work with its simple lyrics, smooth harmonies, and catchy melody.
The more exciting tunes were the dramatic ones, such as “Found Love In A Graveyard,” as well as the earnest and brooding “Bad Feeling” and “If You Still Want Me”. There was a palpable darkness and sense of atmosphere created in these songs, allowing Veronica Falls to expand beyond twangy and twee indie-pop.
For the length of the set, the group remained fairly nonchalant – presumably part of the overall aesthetic that they have created in their music – though if there were some smiles to be shared, they came from Clifford and Doyle.
Nonetheless, the musical output was solid, lifting the excitement laid down in their releases into the live space. Aside from a few mix-ups in the harmony here and there, the overall set was quite true to their recorded work.
At the end of their main set and following rapturous and extended applause from the audience, Veronica Falls returned to the stage. Seeming a little underwhelmed by the crowd’s blessing, they played the light and airy “Buried Alive”.
The group finished with a cover of Roky Erickson’s “Starry Eyes”, Clifford’s vocals and the ensuing “oohs” in their version providing a sweeter, less country-style interpretation of the song.
Apart from a few waves to the audience, the group left the stage with little fanfare, ready to take on the shows that await them over the next week.
