It is the opinion of many that you can tell the strength of a band by their ability to stand up against their album, but in most cases the reverse is the truth. Scottish five-piece Frightened Rabbit created an intricately detailed, raucous and passionate live performance, one that almost put their highly acclaimed records to shame.
Hands were in the air for their first number ‘Holy,’ and there they would undoubtedly remain for a fair chunk of the show. Eager punters filled Brisbane’s local watering hole The Zoo and were a fiercely loyal crowd, clapping and throwing banter at the band, who to their credit threw it right back with a few expletives chucked in for good measure.
After inquiring as to whether anyone was “in the mood for a wee dance,” ‘Old Old Fashioned’ kicked off and boy did the crowd groove. On the prompting of a sing along however, the slightly inebriated spectators got a little confused, Scott Hutchison jesting that “they get that right all over the world; you’ve let your city down.” At the cries of joking abuse to that statement he continued, “I’m not angry I’m just disappointed.”
The band held such a good natured, funny, yet passionate stage presence, promoting within the venue this happy, healthy vibe unlike any other. ‘Late March Death March’ prompted from the audience an eager dance, filling the zoo with bopping heads and stomping feet.
‘Decembers Traditions’ resonated throughout the room, ghostly tendrils floating through the space gone eerily quiet. Hands were again raised to clap the beat, pushing the band faster and faster, Hutchison wiping the sweat from his brow as he poured his soul into every note.
With such talented musicians, you would expect nothing less than the exceptional quality of their set. Something that makes a show however is the ability to completely lose yourself in a set, and Frightened Rabbit did just that.
It was as if every song was built for a live audience, for a live performance. And perhaps they were, their show bringing with it a layer of depth unable to be portrayed through simple sound recording. The ingenuity of the lyrics coupled with the depth of feeling behind the vocals and reflected in the bands eyes created a layer of understanding only a live performance can project.
‘Backwards Walk’ was a highlight of the night, dulcet cries of “you’re the shit and I’m knee deep in it” piercing the walls of The Zoo and travelling down the Brisbane night. ‘Oil Slick’ and ‘State Hospital’ were also amazingly performed, leaving the audience breathless from dancing and generally having a great time.
‘Swim Until You Can’t See Land’ was the sets finale, and with a massive raucous jam at the end of the song it made quite an exit. As the band left the stage the crowd chanted and clapped until they entered once more for their encore, Hutchison smiling hugely as he said “this has been a great night, you’re all fucking excellent.”
Jumping straight into ‘The Woodpile’ the animals within The Zoo cheered appreciation, and nobody in the mosh pit stopping dancing throughout ‘Living In Colour’, ‘Scottish Winds’ and finally ‘The Loneliness And The Scream.’
It was a brilliant night, one not to be forgotten by fan or band, and for Frightened Rabbit’s first time at The Zoo, it’s definitely possible that Brisbane put on a great show for them too. With a sneaky “see you again in the not too distant future”, an amazing night ended and both parties went home feeling like they had been a part of something pretty special.
