The band may be called Strangers, but to most of the crowd they were familiar faces.
Taking to the stage to preview their sophomore album Mirrorlands and launch the titular single, the Sydney four-piece kept the crowd interested with their album’s runthrough. The ten tracks were a potent mix of classic prog-rock sound and a more mainstream rock sensibility, built to please and certainly doing so.
Strangers has been supporting Birds of Tokyo throughout 2016, with this sold out show marking their return to the headline position of the bill. There were traces of Ian Kenny’s influence throughout the performance, though the band lack polish in their live act.
Britton is an excellent frontman, charismatic and energetic. His engagement with the crowd and his fellow bandmates was fun and interesting, including a chant encouraging bass player, Clav, to remove his shirt alongside the rest of the band.
The harmonies between the vocalists faltered at times, but at their best they were impressive.
Highlights of the night Mirrorlands, God is in my Head and Fever featured soaring, grand choruses and rich, heavy guitars. The tracks artfully presented the musical talent and skill of the Sydneysiders, providing an insight to a band that is certainly one to watch over 2017.
An encore of old tracks was much appreciated by the crowd, who happily accepted Britton into the crowd several times throughout the evening. The more seasoned Strangers tunes were performed with more confidence, and seemed more at home on stage, signalling that any issues on the night may just be teething problems with new material.
Perhaps the biggest tragedy was the lack of movement from the crowd. This is music made to captivate, to get lost in, and after the release of Mirrolands, they’ll no doubt get on the radars of many more music fans.
If this taste of the album was anything to go by, then the main course is definitely something to scope out.
Words by Claire Varley
Image by DOTshots
Highlight: Mirrorland. ‘Tis a single to get your paws on ASAP.
Lowlight: The moments in the night when I couldn’t hear Britton.
Crowd Favourite: Clav taking off his shirt.
