The relationship between music and visual arts has always been a fruitful one. Splash in a few bottles of wine (not to mention providing a temporary sanctuary from the whipping winds outside) and Friday Night at Monet’s Garden is on to a winner.
Tonight’s musical guests Halfway, Brisbane natives with a classic rock take on Americana, may not conjure up immediate linkages with Claude Monet and the impressionist movement – although much like Monet, band member John Busby is prone to grow a pretty great beard. They’re in town with an upcoming album to promote, why not do it at the National Gallery of Victoria?
First impressions (geddit?) are that NGV’s Great Hall is a gorgeous spot to perform; the dining tables surrounding the stage and low lavender lighting add to the relaxed ambience of an end of the week gathering. But perhaps it’s a combination of the high ceilings and mixing half a dozen instruments and almost as many microphones that causes the first 15 minutes to come off as mostly glum acoustic guitar strumming. Busby and Chris Dale form the main songwriting partnership in Halfway, but much of their between song chatter is also lost during the early stretch. This section of the gig also features a number of songs from their upcoming fourth album, so it probably wasn’t the road testing they were hoping for. However, each song improves on the last, and they begin to hit their stride just as the average song tempo shifts from laconic ballad to country rock. Those interested in Brisbane music royalty – and I realize I’m definitely in the minority – will recognize John Willsteed (one-time member of The Go-Betweens) chiming in on lead guitar duties. A few off notes during solos suggest he was a potentially last minute addition to the lineup, but mostly the flubs are laughed off and his licks otherwise weave into the tunes. They leave the stage with little fanfare, not quite winning over the crowd but certainly not making enemies.
BY MITCH ALEXANDER
LOVED: The grandiose setting of the Great Hall.
HATED: The long trek home in Melbourne’s pesky weather.
DRANK: Water.
