Performing their seminal 2006 album Moo, You Bloody Choir to celebrate its anniversary, there was something quietly subversive about Augie March opening their set with ‘Veroona’, the last song on the LP. But they have always been a band that delights in gently playing with expectations, and it was fitting that, while the ablum was played in its entirity, the order was purposely mixed up. Frontman Glenn Richards mischievously noted at one point that the original track listing wasn’t entirely their call: this, then, was a small act of restitution, setting the tone for a night that felt both playful and revelatory.

Contributing to the success of the show was the setting. There’s a particular magic to hearing songwriting of this depth and nuance in the intimacy of The Gov (the band sharing their memories and affection for the venue during the performance). In a room full of clearly invested fans, the experience of rediscovering these songs was like a reunion with old friends you haven’t seen in a while but instantly fall back into rhythm with.

Early highlight ‘Cold Acre’ arrived with a sense of purpose: a slow-burn landing with emotional weight with the audience involuntarily singing along with the chorus. Tracks like ‘Mother Greer’ and ‘Bolte & Dunstan Talk Youth’, meanwhile, served as reminders of Richards’ deft skill at sketching character and place with his lyrics.

There was a particular tenderness reserved for ‘Bottle Baby’, delivered with great softness alongside stillness in the audience, aside from communal singing. In contrast, ‘Just Passing Through’ roared to life near the end of the set in a energetic rendition, proving that Augie March can summon a muscularity that sits comfortably alongside their more intricate moments.

One of the real joys about hearing a whole album is the chance to appreciate the deeper cuts. ‘Mt Wellington Reverie’, performed live for the first time on this tour, was a standout: pensive, spacious and absorbing.

The main set closed, as it maybe had to, with ‘One Crowded Hour’, the Triple J Hottest 100 winner that has long since transcended its origins. Dedicated on the night to a couple who met at an Augie March gig two decades ago (and had later used the song at their wedding), it didn’t feel like a hit-single obligation, but a shared moment of collective memory. There are few songs that can manage to feel quite so personal and communal at the same time.

The band was exceptional throughout the night: inhabiting the music without being rigid, and nuanced in a way that genuinely brought these songs to life in very fresh way. Richards, never a typical front-person remains a compelling and slightly enigmatic presence: wry, self-effacing, and genuine. The addition of Dan Luscombe on guitar to the otherwise long-serving lineup for this tour worked well, further contributing to the arrangements.

Earlier in the night, opening set duties fell to Davey Lane of You Am I fame, performing solo with the assistance of some well-placed backing tracks. His songs, rich with melody and a keen sence of the musical hook, provided an ideal complement to the intricate world of Augie March that would follow.

More than just nostalgia and the celebration of an album, this gig was a reminder of what makes Augie March one of Australia’s most enduring and quietly brilliant acts. For longtime fans or anyone discovering them anew, it was a real treat, and a rare chance to see a band still finding new ways to inhabit some of their most loved material.

Reviewed by Matthew Trainor

Picture supplied