As a band, Cold War Kids don’t verbally engage much during a show, but they do have a Nick Cave-like energy as they prowl the stage, connecting with each other and the audience through demeanour and a commitment to performance.
Live music
It’s a two stage festival. Downstairs is beach themed – we’re going to put a lot of sand in the venue and make it look like a beach town. Then upstairs, we have a treehouse with a Lost Boys/Peter Pan theme. It’s like a big cubby house.
All the ingredients that have yielded Cold Chisel’s iconic status in Australian music were on display as they rocked the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Tuesday night, a performance that proved, even into the band’s fifth decade, they remain at the top of their game.
The Basics lived up to their name in a stripped down, intimate gig at the Grace Emily on Tuesday night; it was a thrilling, no-frills display of honest rock’n’roll.
The paring of The BellRays and Dallas Frasca was an inspired choice. Both acts have a take-no-prisoners approach to rock’n’roll, complete with charismatic front-women who leave you with no choice but to engage in the live experience.
Following the band’s relocation to LA, the emphasis is on reconnecting with fans in more intimate venues, touring with slightly less fanfare in support of their Anchor EP. The Gov provided a perfect location for this, with the diverse, sold out crowd genuinely appreciative of the chance to catch the act in such a great pub venue.
“I’m coming to your town to put on an unforgettable live show that the fans will not forget. That’s why I’m coming. To rock the house and meet the fans.”
At a little over an hour, the set was short but high in energy. Every song came at the same frenetic pace, accompanied by rock salutes and smiles at the crowd.
It is a pleasure to watch musicians who clearly live the material they deliver, and in this band all members give high energy, expressive performances.
The Bridgeway Hotel brings back live, original rock starting on Thusday.