FBI Social bore witness to a mixed line-up headlined by lush indie popsters Buckley Ward. Opening for the Melbournites was young band Little Napier, followed by Sydney’s Valar.
Little Napier had an excellent grasp on dynamics in their songwriting, some effective rhythmic variety and a very crisp sound. As musicians, they are very competent, but as performers they feel underdeveloped in presence and charisma. Often songs ended without any warning and they seemed to lack confidence in their own abilities. Little Napier is a band that could mature into a solid live act with some excellent songwriting and great potential as musicians.
Valar followed with a set that was often at polar extremes of tight chilled alternative rock jams to messy jarring experimental music. You have to admire their ambition to create avant-garde textures and dissonances, but the lack of certainty in their opening number left listeners a tad underwhelmed. The vocalist seemed to owe much to both Thom Yorke and Sufjan Stevens in his vocal tone, however his baseball cap hid any form of emotional engagement to the audience.
On a positive note, the bassist and drummer were solid and synced throughout the entirety of the set, and the electronic textures they created were subdued but satisfying; making a spacious and chilling sonic layering. The band would suit creating a thematic narrative to their live shows, tightening up song structures and harmonic eccentricities. An unfocused but intriguing band.
Buckley Ward played to a crowd that was far too small for a group as talented as them. A tightly-knit band, with the adaptability and synchronisation of an ant colony, Buckley Ward made music that could be painted by tie dying canvas. Like ants, they also have a strong democracy, a trait rarely glimpsed in bands. The problem with this is that it is hard to tell where to focus upon, but it’s a minor problem.
Lead vocalist, Jimmy Allen, has a strong pliant voice, with that indie wailing quality so popular at the moment. The buoyancy of their electronics was mixed wonderfully well with their acoustic instruments, while their lyrics were eloquent without being obnoxiously poetic. The harmonies were very tight and the vocal effects cut through the forefront. The music was a whimsy, summery laid-back affair, in a more chilled Saturday night than expected, but Buckley Ward created a warm atmosphere for the audience and were an utterly pleasant band to watch.
– Patrick Weyland-Smith
