AAA Backstage Archive

Live Review: The Rubens, Saskwatch & Winterbourne @ Max Watt's Brisbane, 23.10.15

Earlier this year we sung Hallelujah  to the return of some of our favourite New South Welshmen as The Rubens dropped the first taste of the sophomore album ‘Hoops’. Since then it’s been nation wide Rubens fever, with their latest Hoops tour being a time for drinking and a time for dancing; and boy did we do both.

Before we tasted the sweet nectar that is The Rubens, we delved further down the syrup isle of delicious dynamic duos as Winterbourne smashed their way through one of the quickest half-hours in existence. A set list that combined some of the newly penned tunes, and some electric infused goldie oldies, Winterbourne are just one of those acts that genuinely continue to improve each time they play. Introducing solos into their old works, and smashing some audaciously addictive new tunes, thirty minutes was just not enough for these two central coast wonders. Yet, despite flying duo, leaving their band at home, they are still able to drum their way into a full bodied awe inspiring set. As always, Winterbourne never fails to impress. 

If hips don’t lie, then Saskwatch lead singer Nkechi Anele’s hips must be one some truth serum. Her body moved is such a captivating fashion that shows she’d totally know how to work her way round a dance floor. The ensemble of soulful power exploded on stage, filling the room with a powerful sound but an indescribable energy. Trekking back a few years then forward venturing to their latest single I’ll Be Fine, their set was a comprehensive coverage of their hip shaking career. A loud and fantastical prowess have defined Saskwatch as a powerful ensemble, and in a quick support set, they showed off exactly how that name has come to be.  

Thunder storm or an erupting crowd? It was hard to tell when The shiny jacketed Rubens strutted their way into the limelight. Without hesitation the five piece powered their way through a tightly packed set of tracks lifted off their debut and sophomore records, each met with high-level fan-girling on all parts. Switchblade opened to a swinging start, setting up the crisp clean vocals of front man Sam Margin that cuts so delicately through the belting of the drums and guitar that fills our souls.

A flawless performance that is simply hard to falter. From powerful guitar solos that took a life of their own, to frontman Sam’s vocals that float like a butterfly and sting like pissed off stingray, there is a raw energy about the band that can be so beautifully pieced together, but packs one hell of a punch.

An all in chorus of an audience chanting Hoops was certainly a special moment in itself. A deliciously intimate moment of band/crowd feedback as the sold out crowd commandeered the chorus in a spontaneous acapella rendition. The power and energy shared between audience and artist was pretty damn electric, and really showed off the connection shared between Rubens and fans.  

Solos cascaded around the stage as Sam darted through the crowd to shout the band a round of beers. This at-home vibe the crew brings to the stage is exactly what makes them so gosh darn impressive. There’s no hesitation in a single thing they do, from belting out a tune to whipping their fingers across one heck of a solo. With only two albums, they certainly feel like they’ve been doing this for decades. 

Hallelujah was an absolute stellar way to take out such a glorious evening. Sculling a cheeky beer and welcoming Winterbourne and Saskwatch back on stage, the three bands united in some glorious party. Dancing and singing and just having a gosh darn rad time, it ended the night on such a feel good moment. It was like a family reunion that everyone wanted to be at, where we danced and we drank and reminisced about the good times. Good times like this very night.

Click HERE for the live photo gallery.