Live Review: Andy Bull, MTNS, Bree De Rome @ Alhambra Lounge, 19.10.13
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- Written by Alice Bopf
Bree De Rome had the pleasant task of opening the night’s festivities and created an air of indie pop sweetness to welcome the ongoing flow of punters to the Alhambra lounge.
Her performance was preppy in appearance as in sound, and those cool classic vibes encased in swaying beats and strong vocals were a treat. There was a certain element of nostalgia about her set, simplistic and understated, casting minds back to vintage tunes and the days of cool guitars, shepparding the collective mindset to a happy place, ready for the bands to come.
The evening cruised steadily onwards, with three piece MTNS [Mountains] gracing the stage for what was to be a set of slow-burning, electro ballads and rock infused tracks. The fans were growing in numbers, as were the cheers after each intricately crafted and confidently executed song. In amongst the excitement and newly discovered treats, MTNS covered “The Suburbs” by Arcade Fire, in a punchy, angst-driven performance that had the growing audience roaring by its final notes. Their best-known track Lost Track Of Time also invited amorous cheers after a mesmerising performance.
For fans of Andy Bull, this was a night to relish in his musical journey. Tracks old and new were played and celebrated, the personal stories behind their conception were shared by a glowing Andy Bull, so pleased and humbled by his enraptured audience, growing in numbers and in cheers.
He bounced around newer tracks, identified by their experimental nature and electrified beats, often calling for remixed vocals and sky-high voice play from Andy Bull, which proved both fun and engrossing to see where each track would go. Between the new we always caught glimpses of the old, those celebrated or simply remembered for the musical foundations they laid for this growing performer.
“A few years back, I played this song with Lisa Mitchell… it made it into the Triple J Hottest 100. No big deal, I’m sure it happens all the time” he said coyly, smirking through his drink as the crowd whistled in anticipation. The opening drums and piano strums of Dog did their best to outdo the excited screams, which turns into a seamless singalong. Scattered couples started slowdancing. Where are we? How has this happened?
Speaking of dancing, we are coursed back into our musical memories for Last Waltz, a song that is traditionally performed with the gents of Hungry Kids of Hungary, however “those guys aren’t around… so screw them!”
This rendition is stripped back, slowed down and crooned by Bull, with the help of guitarist Alex Bennison. Familiar gig-goers find the faintest of pounding pop beats in the track and start bopping along like it were a teenaged disco. Fans of Andy Bull’s are devoted and vocal, the best combination for bringing a cool and calm exterior down to giggles and blushes, as seen on the Alhambra stage.
Other tracks that paved the path of memory lane include the deliciously poppy Phantom Pains and My Street… “this is about me moving away after a break up to try and get a bit of space, and finding out my ex moved to the same street three weeks later. It’s okay. She’s dead now. Oh, I’m kidding! She’s alright!”
As expected and thankfully brought to fruition, we were privy to the newer singles, Keep On Running and, the song that brought about this grand show, Baby I Am Nobody Now. He’s right, you know. “Baby I am 10 out of 10”.
