Opening with mesmerising track Bad Friends from recently released debut album Vacation, lullaby-like lyrics from Tom Iansek and a gentle undercurrent of guitar, keys and drums eased the clatter of awaiting fans into the gig. Yet it was Big Scary’s next choice in Gladiator that really snared the receptive crowd. Vocals from both Iansek and drummer Jo Syme were hypnotic, airy perfection in this performance, and failed to miss a beat throughout the night. The enthusiasm for these new releases signalled a promising debut album, with many of the newer tracks fast becoming crowd favourites.
At no surprise for a Saturday night, the audience continued to respond best to more upbeat songs, and Big Scary effortlessly brought enough energy for the entire room to feed off. Both Iansek and Syme visibly relished their moment to impress the home crowd, with one of the band’s original hits Falling Away met by erupting cheers and a rolling sea of moving bodies. Syme’s own signature fringe and ponytail were dancing with the music as she put her whole body into her drum work, managing to literally let her hair down mid-set by freeing the ponytail and shaking out her brown locks as the band settled into their final few songs.
Drawing the night towards a close, The Apple Song and Mix Tape were everything catchy pop-rock songs should be, showcasing the essence of just what makes Big Scary work so well. Half my attention was drawn to the band members themselves, and half to their giant silhouettes cast in shadows on the back of the stage as they thrashed their instruments. These larger than life projections seemed an apt backdrop for Big Scary on this night: for a small two-piece band, Iansek and Syme managed to produce music worthy of a much larger ensemble, pulling off brilliance with their own modesty and charm.
WORDS BY EMMA GREEN, PICS BY RICHARD LIPP
