There was a particularly high level of excitement at The Forum on Saturday night. An eclectic mix of young music fans and older soul lovers gathered under the venue’s starry sky ceiling to witness the hometown return of The Bamboos.
The soul band’s long-awaited Melbourne show came after a successful 2012 that included a sold out tour, three ARIA award nominations, and inclusion in the triple j Hottest 100.
Before the main act, support band OXBLVD took to the stage. Hailing from Sydney, the four-piece headed straight into their gritty blues tunes.
Blending country melodies with grungy guitar riffs, the band managed to lure a growing audience to the empty dance floor. Their 2012 single ‘Tease Me’ showcased Ed Worland’s droning vocals layered on top of a pulsating drumbeat, while the audience mirrored bass player Josie Leicht’s snake-like dance moves.
With dimmed lights and a restless crowd, The Bamboos took to the stage. Lead singer Kylie Auldist launched straight into ‘Rats’ from their new record, Fever In The Road, while the crowd erupted in cheers and wacky dance moves.
While the band’s line-up wasn’t as big as what you might hear on the guest-heavy album Medicine Man, their performance certainly showcased the talented vocalists. Auldist’s powerful and flawless vocals took on the more soulful tracks, while Ella Thompson’s mellow voice covered their more pop-like tunes.
The setlist was carefully constructed to showcase the The Bamboos’ diverse repertoire. ‘Leave Nothing Behind’, for example, was a sombre tune from their latest album that contrasted the band’s upbeat and lively tracks.
When Auldist departed the stage, co-singer Thompson was welcomed by the cheering crowd, dressed in an eye-catching, metallic silver dress. The band launched into their new upbeat 60s number ‘Your Lovin’ Is Easy’.
Twirling the microphone cord around her fingers, Thompson bopped to the track while the crowd matched her moves. In fact, The Bamboos’ infectious tunes made it almost impossible not to dance.
While there was hardly any banter from the band, the instrumentalists were strong and sharp, complementing the vocalist’s soulful sounds. The three-piece brass section were also a highlight.
The latter half of the set saw the band perform old favourites, drawing from over 10 years industry experience. ‘You Ain’t No Good’, with its bluesy origins and Auldist’s roaring vocals, had the crowd dancing yet again. Baby boomer couples danced just as furiously as the younger fans, proving that their music has the power to transcend age barriers.
One of the strongest points in the set was Auldist’s vocals during the band’s cover of Frank Ocean’s ‘Lost’ – a song they performed last year for triple j’s Like A Version. When Auldist belted out the lyrics over the sleek rhythm, The Bamboos’ skillfully blended their sound, make the cover uniquely their own.
The band left the stage after finishing with the crowd favourite ‘On The Sly’. However, the foot stomping from the eager audience soon saw them return for an encore.
The Bamboos saved the best for last, finishing on ‘I Got Burned’ – the lead single from last year’s Medicine Man. The track highlighted the band at their finest complete with both singers on stage. Auldist and Thompson’s feisty vocals were complemented by Lance Ferguson’s fiery guitar solo, which the crowd went wild for.
It’s performances like this that strengthen The Bamboos’ position as one of Australia’s best bands to see live.
