It feels like The Smith Street Bandhave been everywhere since the release of their third album, 2014’s Throw Me in the River. Yet no matter how many shows they’ve placed in the last two years, they still managed to sell out three final shows to cap off the touring cycle.
Though, there are arguably better ways to farewell the Throw Me in the River tour than by performing with a serious leg injury. Frontman Wil Wagner hobbled onstage with a set of crutches and a bandaged leg. His unusual getup was the result of jumping off the stage two nights earlier, tearing two muscles and a tendon in his left calf.
In Dave Grohl style, Wagner sat upon a magnificent throne decked out with flashing lights, revealed to the sweeping sound of the Game of Thrones theme. The frontman started the set alone, beginning with the first half of I Love Life before the rest of the band joined for a full-force second half. Surrey Drive and Ducks Fly Together came next, andthe seated position didn’t deter Wagner from displaying his usual high energy stage presence and guttural vocals, with his uninjured right leg tapping along to the music.
Bass player Michael Fitzgerald and guitarist Lee Hartney brought plenty of movement and energy to the stage, lifting songs like Get High, See No One, and I Don’t Want To Die Anymore up to the heights the band are renowned for. Although drummer Chris Cowburn was obscured by the huge throne, his playing was unfaultable.
The cameos of rocker friends were plentiful, and added to the sense of camaraderie filling Max Watt’s. Don’t Fuck With Our Dreams featured The Benniestaking to the stage with a cowbell in hand. Tyler Richardson of Luca Brasijoined the band for Tom Busby, and the whole gang joined in for Young Drunk.
After a disclaimer that he couldn’t walk off for an encore, Wagner started a “one more song” chant before playing their final songs. He winced in visible pain through Throw Me In The River, but the smile on his face during Young Drunk was a sign that the show was worth it. In a final surprise, the show ended with a cover of Nirvana’s Drain You.
While many a band claim to love the crowd, few manage to do so with the authenticity of Wagner and co. Despite the imperfect circumstances, The Smith Street Band brought an amount of energy to the stage that many bands can’t manage with fully functional limbs.
Standing from his throne and lifting one of his crutches to the sky, Wagner led the band off stage and ended the tour to thundering applause.
Loved: Cameos from The Bennies and Luca Brasi.
Hated: That I couldn’t see Cowburn.
Drank: Water and atmosphere.
BY CLAIRE VARLEY
