You know when you searching for a pair of socks in your bedroom, but you’re pretty convinced they have all been sucked into that invisible vacuum that consumes most socks after one wear?
You know when you searching for a pair of socks in your bedroom, but you’re pretty convinced they have all been sucked into that invisible vacuum that consumes most socks after one wear? But then, when all hope is lost, you find what’s surely your last pair of socks sitting innocently in the back corner of your closet? Sure, they’re your mum or dads work socks, but they are clean and of the same style and size? A rare win. Could this be the most unnecessary anecdote of the year? No, this is how I felt when witnessing The Polites at The Grace Darling.
Shuffling about on stage prior to their gig, testing their instruments and passing round a few beers, before all of a sudden, as if they were still getting ready, it becomes apparent they have begun and the room falls completely silent. In the same vein musically as The Panics and as lyrically strong as Paul Kelly, it was as captivating as a well-produced porno. Every song was strong and the melodies and harmonies transformed the small Grace Darling band room into a big cozy doona.
Next in line were prolific tourers The Chemist, who have been getting a fair thrashing on the ‘Js of late. Opting for the smaller room on their first headline tour, the packed Grace was getting excited for the latest craze from West Oz. I didn’t know a whole lot about them and initially I was put off by the lead singers frightening resemblance to Maroon 5’s Adam Levine, and unfortunately, at the beginning of their set they kinda sounded similar too. But as they got more comfortable, their songs started taking shape and it turned into a pretty special show. It’s not often you’re able to witness a pop band that tightly rehearsed in a long time and it was refreshing.
Every arrangement was executed perfectly and the fellas looked as if they were enjoying every minute of it. The last song perfectly sealing off an amazing and surprising night when front man, Ben Witt, stood alone looping his guitar then looping his voice with his own harmonies until he wasn’t playing anything, but this phenomenal song kept blaring through the speakers. Great night, great bands.
