As an effort to celebrate the release of their third studio album, Uncanny Valley, the Melbourne trio Midnight Juggernauts have just recently embarked on their tour around the country, reminding the nation of their unique sound, steeped in experimental electronica and interstellar harmonies.
Sharing the stage was former frontman of Children Collide, Johnny Mackay unveiling his new project, Fascinator. The New York-based solo act was accompanied by three rather peculiar mannequin-like women situated at the front of the stage barely moving, adding to the unconventional nature of the performance.
Mackay’s psychedelic project executed an energetic set, despite the unresponsive crowd of merely twenty-something people. By not causing any detriment to the indefatigable and mind-altering effort of Fascinator, Mackay embraced the diminutive crowd by climbing over the barricades in an attempt to warm them up in preparation for the night ahead.
Next up was Kirin J Callinan, a challenging and controversial solo artist well known for his confronting performances, wild guitar playing and haunting compositions, successfully rousing the larger, more attentive crowd. Pushing boundaries of conventional music, Callinan’s experimental sounds – created by looping his guitar and vocals through a battery of effects and headsets, ultimately bewildered the audience, focusing our complete attention to the shocking aura of his set.
By witnessing the full live experience of this solo Melbourne artist, it is evident that Kirin J Callinan is excellent at what he does, leaving the audience with simultaneous feelings of disturbance and satisfaction.
After a much-anticipated wait, the suddenly packed venue finally welcomed the Melbourne trio on to the stage as they confidently opened with the eerie, electronic track from their new album, ‘Melodyia’ acting to loosen the crowd.
Anomalous in essence, drummer Daniel Stricker was positioned in the centre of the stage leaving the audience confused of this conscious choice. However after hearing his tireless solos, particularly in ‘Shadows’ and ‘End of An Era’, this decision became evidently clear.
A more relaxed and imperturbable track from their third album ‘Deep Blue Lines’ swayed the crowd into a rhythmic trance, following from the popular synth infused track ‘Memorium’. Each song was sounding more like an intergalactic space jam as the set continued, with the persistent rhythm driving the trio from track to track.
After a Russian-army-inspired uniform change, Midnight Juggernauts kept the crowd on their feet by playing the infectiously hypnotic hit ‘Ballad Of The War Machine’. The switching of instruments throughout the set demonstrated their diverse and versatile musical ability, as well as displaying the effortless skill they have in performing in front of crowds, which beneficially comes naturally through their experience as a band.
This was no ordinary all ages show. Usually with the venue completely preoccupied, wishful teenagers race to the front of the stage. Midnight Juggernauts however played for an expected crowd of maturity, showing their experience and development as a band. When the timeless crowd-pleaser ‘Into The Galaxy’ resurfaced, the tentative crowd was inevitably left dancing and chanting the catchy chorus of the futuristic, cosmo-electronic smash hit.
The transition from past tunes and current hits allowed for a nostalgic atmosphere while also demonstrating their inspired new material. Engrossed by the performance, the entire audience was sent into a state of cosmic euphoria, leaving them moving to the synthesized, rhythm charged music.
The crowd was very amenable to frontman Andrew Szekeres as a result of his genuine enthusiasm and endearing stage charisma.
After being called back on to stage by the drunken congregation, Midnight Juggernauts played the first track off the new album ‘HCL’, exerting as much energy as they were at the start of the night.
The vigour of the band reflected the mood of the audience who were immersed in the unconventional tunes, underpinned by ghostly strains of glittery electronica. As a contrast, they ended with a resurrected track from 2002, ’45 and Rising’ expressing their roots and beginnings, highlighting their growth and sophistication as a band.
It was a night of acquired taste with all individual acts refusing to be bound by the limitations of genre and convention. Ultimately, this proved to make for an interesting and transfixing night. Midnight Juggernaut’s idiosyncratic style took the audience on an esoteric adventure, jam-packed with good music, band dancing and peculiar attire.
