As Thomas Rawle, lead singer of headliners Papa vs. Pretty, stated early on in the band’s set, the last time they played in Adelaide was in front of roughly 15 people, so obviously they were delighted to be playing to a Jive crowd that managed to fill the ground floor completely. Of course, this previous performance was prior to the 3-piece releasing their debut album, United In Isolation, subsequently having it featured on the public youth broadcaster, and gaining consistent airplay for rollicking tracks One Of The Animals and Honey. This kind of publicity is huge for a band who’s average age barely reaches beyond the 20 year mark, but it was clear on this Thursday evening that age is no barrier for this talented Sydney group.
Adelaide act City Riots appeared first this evening having been overseas to record their debut album which has been a long time coming for many. At this stage the crowd were still briskly wandering in, but the band managed to put on a professional performance nonetheless, certainly demonstrating their progression as a band in the last few years. I’m sure we can expect more from the group throughout the remainder of the year as the album is released.
Due to time constraints the now filled out Jive crowd were introduced to Melbourne act Redcoats, who immediately had everyone’s horns up. As the band were setting up, I must admit I was highly skeptical of what was to come. The guys look like an authentic 70s rock group; three of the lads sported long, flowing stoner-like locks, while lead singer Emilio Mercuri almost came across as a reincarnated version of Andrew Stockdale, pinned back afro and spearing eyes included. And as they came out to begin their set it was easy to hear the influences of these guys right from the start. Flourishes of Zeppelin, Hendrix, Kyuss, Floyd and Rage Against The Machine all shone through early on the band’s performance. It would be easy to forfeit the band’s credentials based on the fact they were reviving the sounds of their forefathers, but the overriding fact became that Redcoats are simply brilliant at what they do. For the majority of their near 40 minute set I simply zoned out, in a good way, Their style of music is completely mesmerizing, entrancing, and played with an undeniable level of skill to match. Their constant shift of time signatures is something to behold. Mercuri is a true frontman, while guitarist Neil Wilkinson and bassist Rhys Kelly wield their instruments as if they’d just been removed from a time machine that landed in the early 90s. Dreamshaker is a hit with most of the crowd, but it was the longer, more drawn-out songs that really showed the potential of Redcoats going forward. This was certainly a live experience worth witnessing again.
Papa vs. Pretty arrived soon after to kickstart their performance, which was unfortunately marred by numerous feedback issues early on. It seemed to rattle frontman Rawle and created a somewhat disengaging atmosphere at the beginning. However, as soon as the first chords of Heavy Harm strung out, the band seemed far more comfortable on the stage, with the initial sound problems seemingly devoid by this point. Heavy Harm is a great indicator of the band’s sound, as Rawle exquisitely finds his way around the guitar, while the rhythm section of Angus Gardner and Tom Myers allow the band’s music to flow up and down when necessary. At times the mix creates problems in hearing Rawle’s incredible vocals, yet when they do appear they are genuinely unforgettable, falling somewhere in between a rockabilly drawl and a Beatles-esque croon.
One Of The Animals received a huge reception from the crowd as was to be expected, while Wrecking Ball from the band’s Heavy Harm EP displayed a raw grit to the band’s sound. This was brilliantly contrasted by I Still Believe In Us, a far slower track from said EP that demonstrated Rawle’s immense ability with the 6-string, with lush harmonies provided by Myers from behind the sticks. Myers voice consistently enhanced the band’s sound on the night, and especially shone on latest single Honey. This was probably the most well-performed song on the evening; it showcased everything good about the 3-piece, while displaying a level of maturity and comfort on stage that is far beyond their years. The guys completed the set with an unnamed production which they only ever play live, and after a reluctant call from the crowd, returned for a two-song encore to end the night on a high.
Many can sometimes be fooled by broadcast radio these days, with recent countdowns demonstrating that accuracy in determining the best from the rest can sometimes succumb to a popularity contest. However, the recent publicity provided to Papa vs. Pretty was consolidated this evening at Jive; these guys are the real deal. Thomas Rawle is a talent to be reckoned with, and with an apparent 30 albums worth of unreleased material up his sleeve, we can only dream of what the band has to offer up next.
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