Dempsey walks on stage to rapturous applause, grinning from ear to ear. It’s Something For Kate’s first of three hometown shows at The Forum in Melbourne for their 20th anniversary tour and lead-man Dempsey’s face says it all.
If the band are excited, so is the crowd. A crowd full of, as Dempsey words it, “the keenest of the keen.” This particular show sold out in the fan “pre-sale”; a real tribute to both band and fan alike. Something For Kate fans are renowned for their loyalty to the band, part of the reason why the band has managed to stay so popular into their 20th year. Another being the band’s songwriting skills; leaving songs ambiguous in their interpretations, giving a little and allowing the listener to step into a song and make it something more personal.
The show opens with a short film by Melbourne multi-talented artist Callum Preston. The film silences the sold-out venue, captivating the audience as it treks through the band’s history, not shying away from Clint’s fashion career. 20 years on, he thinks he’s got it down pat.
Paul announces “it’s our birthday,” and with that the band launch into a string of older songs from The Answer to Both Your Questions and Elsewhere for 8 Minutes. The songs are gutsy, beckoning the band’s grunge roots in Higher than You Think and Pickard’s Lament. The first set continues with Echolalia favorites such as Jerry, Stand up, Seasick and lesser-known B-side Hawaiian Robots.
Down the Garden Path is up next and the fans respond to an emotional rendition of the song. Dempsey hangs on lyrics such as “together in space, together in time,” and evokes real connection with the audience, as if literally leading them out the back door and into his parallel universe.
Introducing Kids Will Get the Money, Paul makes a dedication to Gina Reinhart in a display of his quirky humor. Dempsey leads with the opening notes and is followed by a crushing rhythm section, driven by Clint’s fierce drumbeat and Stephanie’s distorted bass line. Rounding out the first set is the more recent Survival Expert. Stephanie sways back and forth, grinding out a bass line that shakes the floor.
Following intermission Paul sits down at the keys, bathed in a yellow glow of light and launches into a hauntingly beautiful solo rendition of the song Back to You, as Dempsey’s vocals soar through the venue. A real highlight.
Paul is rejoined on stage by fellow band mates and longtime touring musician, John Hedigan. The band launch into an epic rendition of Star-crossed Citizen, creating a massive wall of sound. And from here on it’s all about the fans. The band power through B-side …Rockwell before a string of favorites including Déjà Vu, Monsters and the serene sounds of Anchorman.
A true highlight of the night, Electricity generates a frenzied response from the crowd while Paul and Steph’s interaction onstage creates an electricity all of its own.
Closing out the second set with Like Bankrobbers, Clint leads the way with his undeniably committed and intense drumming style. Staring down each high hat and snare hit with absolute intensity in what looks like an attempt to inflict as much damage as possible to each piece of equipment.
Returning to stage for a much welcomed encore, the band take us all down to the airport, packs our heads and our hearts in the cockpit, and for a moment we all fly away, caught in a moment of music with a powerful and connecting delivery of Captain. The band closes the show with fan-favorite Pinstripe. It’s a fitting finish, and the entire crowd belts out each word at the top of their lungs. It’s for the band. It’s for the fans. They take a bow and say thank you. The crowd thanks back ten-fold.
Here’s to another 20.
BY DAVID MAHONY
Photo by Ian Laidlaw
Loved: All 20 years.
Hated: People over 9ft tall.
Drank: Mountain Goat Steam Ale.
