Live Review

Frightened Rabbit @ The Triffid

As I step into the Triffid I’m internally screaming.  The last time I saw Frightened Rabbit live was three years ago, and to say they were incredible would be understating things.  Three years may not seem like a long time.  But to be honest, any length of time to wait would have been too much for me. 

As I make my way to the front, I’m pleasantly surprised to hear the melodic tones of Tia Gostelow radiate across the room.  When investigating the Frightened Rabbit line up I thought that Trouble with Templeton were all set to open the show.  They even had a Facebook post about it.  I’m a little confused, but more than happy to roll with it.  Trouble with Templeton are a great fit for a Frightened Rabbit show, but if their spot is to be replaced, Miss Gostelow presents a more than perfect option.

Gostelow hails from Mackay, Queensland and possesses what I would describe as a folky rock aesthetic accompanied by an intoxicating vocal ability reminiscent of Stevie Nicks or PJ Harvey.  It’s deep, dark and has just enough vibrato.  I say rock; recorded I get more of a relaxed indie vibe but live that guitar and bass come across full and heavy.  Gostelow hits you hard.   The full impact of Gostelow’s incredible vocal abilities are on display tonight.  

Midway through the set, Gostelow launches into a cover of Fred Astaire by San Cisco.  It’s impossible not to dance when you hear this tune and Gostelow does it justice.  A few more songs in and Gostelow pauses to admit that she is a little unprepared and hasn’t had time to practice.  If this how she sounds when rusty then I want to watch a show at full capacity because unprepared Tia Gostelow is completely enchanting.  I can't imagine it gets much better. 

After a brief intermission, Frightened Rabbit take to the stage and open with, Get Out, from their 2016 album, Painting of a Panic Attack.  For me the album is a heavy, heart-breaking listen, yet live it somehow feels lighter. Maybe it’s the atmosphere of the night; everyone around me is having a great time.  It somehow lifts the tone of the darker songs.  There is a weird juxtaposition which is especially prevalent when lead singer, Scott Hutchison introduces each new hit, addressing the crowd in his thick Scottish accent as he announces;

This is a song about why everything in pointless and nothing matters!” Cheers erupt.

This song is about the fact that we’re all going to die one day.” We all applaud.

This song is about heartbreak!” Everyone dances and smiles.

They immediately follow up Get Out with one of my favourite tunes, Holy from 2013’s Pedestrian Verse.  Frightened Rabbit have an extensive discography but happily they select a range of old and new songs rather than just sticking to their latest release.  I notice that some of the older tunes from the Winter of Mixed Drinks era prompt the biggest crowd reactions.

Frightened Rabbit possess an amazing energy and an impressive ability to engage in banter with the crowd, especially considering they all just hopped off a long haul flight.  The set is punctuated by jokes and one-liners between each song.  Hutchison clearly has a sense of humour and welcomes yells or heckling from the crowd, giving back as good as he gets. 

As we approach the evening’s end, Hutchison announces he is about to play “...the only Frightened Rabbit song you can dance to”.  This is basically news to every person in attendance who have been dancing from start to finish.  But they are right; it’s impossible not to dance to the tune Old Old Fashioned. It’s just so folky and blue grass.  Serious Mumford and Sons vibes.  One of the rarer more positive and upbeat songs in the Frightened Rabbit repertoire.  

After concluding the set, Frightened Rabbit heed calls for, “One more song! One more Song!” and play a selection of, “…big fat rabbit hits!” as Hutchison calls it.  The band finish up thanking the crowd for our energy and letting us know that it’s been too long between drinks.  Frightened Rabbit are completely engaging musicians and it's wonderful to see them again with new material after three long years away.  In my eyes the evening feels like the perfect opening to the Australian leg of their tour.  

 

- Sarah McGowan 

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