Playing their only live show before the release of their debut album In A Restless House (out September 11th through IOHYOU), City Calm Down relished the opportunity to road-test some new material to a sold out Northcote social club on Friday.
Starting off the night were Ballarat-come-Melbourne lo-fi psych legends, Crepes. Six months ago they were a ‘band to watch’, now they’re a band to behold. ‘Cold Summers’ is one of 2015’s most unassuming local smash-hits, ‘Stages of Fear’ is a beautifully strange psychedelic lullaby and ‘Ain’t Horrible’ is as creeping and brooding as it is masterfully well constructed.
Unfortunately Crepes seemed to be a little mismatched for this lineup, as the roomful of City Calm Down fans, bar a handful of enthusiastic music lovers, used this time to talk loudly about god knows what throughout the entire set. A shame to see one of Melbourne’s most promising young acts underappreciated in such a great setting for live, local music.
City Calm Down are obviously eager to hit the road as they appear from behind Northcote Social’s beautiful red drapes accompanied by Talking Heads’ ‘Once In A Lifetime’. Having just released their latest single ‘Rabbit Run’, a tune that runs somewhere in between Joy Division and The National, the band are in top form. Their melodic hooks and tightly rehearsed arrangements hitting with as much, if not more force played live than their recorded counterparts.
Opening with 2014’s hit ‘Pavement’, the crowd immediately kicked into overdrive, their vigorous energy matching the band’s at every step. Singer Jack Bourke’s powerful voice commands attention and the rest of the ensemble make up as cohesive a unit as you’re likely to see this side of some of the world’s largest festival stages.
[include_post id=”451474″]The true test comes while playing some of the unheard material from the upcoming record. City Calm Down play off their strengths here. Pounding rhythm, spacey synths, driving bass lines and Bourke’s out of this world vocal range are key trademarks that the group have clearly spent their time refining and maturing.
It is also clear that the band have carefully considered their live show. Songs run beautifully into one another, arrangements are nailed note for note, their sound is impeccably mixed and they’re even wearing matching black shirts. The sheen of professionalism is undeniable.
The new material doesn’t fail as the crowd grows livelier with every song and, by the time they’re finished, one audience member uses his t-shirt as a towel to soak up the dance induced sweat now covering the most part of his body. September 11th can’t come soon enough for those in attendance, and if this show is anything to go by, City Calm Down look to have a busy year ahead of them off the back of this exciting new release.
Live review: Friday 10th July at Northcote Social Club
City Clam Down will be performing as part of Bigsound 2015. Line up and info at www.qmusic.com.au/bigsound
