Travelling over their home turf for the second time since their inclusion on the Big Day Out 2013 bill, Dead Letter Circus set a tight schedule, showcasing the best of their chart topping hits to the home crowd of Australia. Proud of their roots, having recycled members from a few previous bands off the East Coast and supporting local causes like the stance against coal steam gas operations, Dead Letter Circus were once more local and proud, bringing Sydney rockers Breaking Orbit along for the ride and welcoming progressive four-piece, Quiet Child into the fold for their show in Adelaide.
Kicking off the night, Quiet Child proved to be just that – but don’t make the mistake of underestimating them. Remember the theory that the quiet child who goes unnoticed grows up into somebody of the big wide world, using all that they’ve learned and observed to go forth and break new ground? These alternative musicians, ladies and gentlemen, are a prime example of this. Having taken nearly a year off to concentrate on both personal ventures and writing new material, Quiet Child returned to the stage with a presence of accomplishment and a powerful calm that makes it easy to see why they are so respected in their home town. Playing a handful of songs that will be available on two new releases the band announced would be published later this year, they captivated their audience with experimental sound and well rehearsed melodies between their string instruments. Set to support Kamelot on their first ever Australian tour, Quiet Child are fast outgrowing a youthful era, becoming an active and important band to watch this year.
Following on from one intense performance to another, Breaking Orbit were welcomed onto the stage with the cheers of a strong Adelaide following. With a quick 'good evening' to their fans, Breaking Orbit wasted no time provoking the audience into something they could work with. Maestros of their music, they offered machine gun drumbeats and vocals that seized the senses and pulled the listener into a vortex of multi-layered, respectable influences with songs including My Direction, Machigeunga and Callsign. It wasn’t long before bodies were swaying in time from the frontlines of the floor to the lookout spots by the bar, fists and devil horns rising into the air in unison. While it’s hard to choose a standout song off their debut album The Time Traveller (released just last year and already well received by critics and fans alike) it was the live performance of Orion off the album that left fans in awe, frontman Matt Quayle’s vocals harmonising his band members in a compelling display of skill. It’s Breaking Orbit’s unmistakable knowledge of their instruments and the desires of their fans that fast tracks them into the public eye, but as drummer Mark Tyson discussed earlier in the week with LMA (read it here), the band are easily staying afloat. Crossing off another milestone to play with friends Dead Letter Circus again, Quayle announced another Australian tour towards the middle of the year, while Tyson hinted at an international tour and new material for another album already in the works. If you know what’s good for you, do not take your eyes off these shooting stars.
Like the appearance of the earth and its culture to something foreign, Dead Letter Circus represent an intriguing idea in the world of progressive music. The band name alone is entirely thought provoking, lending itself to the imagery of the grand, visual display that is any one of their live performances and a detached concept further stimulated by their latest and first studio recorded release called This is The Warning. There is no other way to receive this emotive five-piece that isn’t as serious as they strive to be taken in the industry. It’s with this well deserved focus that they were then given as they took to the stage for their return to Adelaide since their first national tour almost a decade ago. You could almost taste the undying attention of the audience before, amongst smoke billowing off the stage and mood lighting in eerie purple and red, Dead Letter Circus launched into Here We Divide, the opening track of their full length album.
Not denying their fans a chance to regain their energy as they did the same, stubbies of beer visible amongst the wires and bare feet of the members on stage, Dead Letter Circus paused to thank the opening bands and to reminisce with the audience on their first gig in Adelaide at the Crown & Anchor. Dedicating part of the show to the long term supporters who had been present that night, they launched into a formidable set of their most popular songs including One Step, Next in Line and Wake Up. Connecting with a sizable crowd that filled the UniBar to capacity, the interactive outfit gave as good as they got from their audience. Frontman Kim Benzie commanded and beckoned punters, stirring up a mosh pit to the sound of his voice for Reaction, a nostalgic surprise from the band’s debut EP. Playing solidly for the better part of the evening, not even the relentless chanting and cheering of fans for minutes on end was enough to bring Dead Letter Circus back for an encore when it came time for their departure. Although disappointing, memories of their arcane sound and a vivid show of rousing music and energy still lingers. Fast on their way to becoming musical empires like their influences - rock veterans, Radiohead, Tool and Massive Attack to name a few, Dead Letter Circus are a tightly strung package, bigger than the live shows that have since shot them onto the public stage nationwide, and always growing. If their success and eagerness is any judge of their character, the sky will not even be limit enough to stop these natural born artists. Don’t say you weren’t warned.
Review by Rebecca Grant
Photos by Sofie Marsden and Melissa Donato. See the full gallery here
Review by Rebecca Grant
Photos by Sofie Marsden and Melissa Donato. See the full gallery here
RSS Feed
