Let me set the scene for you.
Melbourne had just experienced its two hottest days in a row in nearly 150 years. The temperature had risen to 44.3 degrees by 5pm. The sweltering conditions coupled with TV On The Radio, were going to set up one hell of a sweaty night at the sold out show at Melbourne's HiFi Bar. On top of that, my gig partner in crime had fallen down his stairs earlier in the day and had back, neck and shoulder issues to deal with. This morning we found out that he actually tore six cartilages in his back, suffered a broken collarbone and is now in a neck brace. What a trooper!
So, for the first time since I saw Grinspoon play an under ages show at The Corner Hotel when I was 16, had I seen a sea of people in their singlets, shorts and thongs at an indoor gig. Even the emo makeup artists, wannabee kings of leon dressers and those wanting to look good to pick up, had left their egos at home because it was just too dam hot.
I arrived just as Wolf and Cub were playing their last tune. Ive seen them a couple of times and they never seem to disappoint. I honestly hope these guys make it somewhere someday, even if it’s somewhere like New Zealand (they gave us Shihad remember). Their final track sounded like a jumbo jet was about to land on top of the Hi Fi, just roar power made completely from having two drum kits.
I had only been inside for about 15 minutes and I had felt like I’d already lost 3 kilos just from sweat. At 10.30pm, TV On The Radio finally graced us with their presence. I have always wanted to see this band, but have never been in the right place at the right time. They began with a couple of older tracks (‘Young Liars’, ‘The Wrong Way’ and ‘Dreams’), which is totally out of the ordinary when a band tours after releasing a new album (‘Dear Science,’). However, that’s exactly what TVOTR are – left of center and unpredictable. Mixing rock, with rap, with funk and with punk, New York's TVOTR are plain and simply cool.
Early on in the set it was evident how good Tunde Adebimpe (frontman #1) was as a dancer. The moves he was pulling on the stage must have made the women sweat even more. It’s true, African-Americans are the best body movers and hip shakers in the world. As for Kyp Malone (frontman #2) and he’s beard, well it’s nothing short of absolutely mesmerizing. Oh yeah, his vocal range is sublime too. Dave Sitek (only white man) was playing his guitar with wind chimes dangling from the neck. He’s also TVOTR’s producer and recently produced Foal’s debut album, ‘Antidotes’.
I had waited almost three years to hear ‘Wolf Like Me’ delivered live and boy did they deliver. While the new material works great live, ‘Wolf Like Me’ had to be my highlight of the night. Tunde’s powerful and passionate singing was evident all night but he really gave this song his all. Gesturing to the crowd, howling, and prowling the stage, he was completely magnetic and just riveting to watch.
TVOTR did of course throw in a number of tracks off ‘Dear Science,’ including the ever-so beautiful ‘Crying’, the frenetic ‘Dancing Choose’ and their big single ‘Golden Age’. They finished their set to a rapturous applause and then came back for again an ‘unpredictable’ extended encore. The final song of the night had to be ‘Staring At The Sun’. In its live incarnation the song is more guitar-heavy (actually true of many of the songs) but equally impressive.
I left the gig a very happy and sweaty man, as I’m sure everyone else in the audience did too. Like Arcade Fire and Rage Against the Machine this time last year, TVOTR are definitely a contender for gig of the year.
Setlist:
Young Liars
The Wrong Way
Dreams
Crying
Golden Age
Wolf Like Me
Dirtywhirl
Stork & Owl
Shout Me Out
Dancing Choose
Red Dress
DLZ
Satellite
———
Love Dog
Blues From Down Here
Let The Devil In
Staring At The Sun
--- Contributed by Jase S.
--- Photo supplied by polaroidsofandroids.com
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