The Grates @ The Oxford Art Factory 24/6/11
July 11th 2011 10:54
The risk any band makes when they head overseas for a long period of time is that audiences will move on and forget about them. That wasn’t the case for The Grates tonight as the sold out sign was hung out the front of the Oxford Art Factory.
Guineafowl proved themselves early to be a good choice for support act. Their infectious indie pop compliments their tour mates sound. Singer Nick Meredith looked a bit like a cross of Bowie and Luke Steele with a blue strip of make up across his eyes. Guineafowl played feel good music with a slight shoegazer mentality with swirling guitar lines weaved with boppy keys. Their set was peppered with pop gems including a cover of Sia’s “Clap Your Hands”.
The one thing that always impressed me with The Grates is their live show. Watching Patience dance around a stage for 90 minutes without tiring like she was the energizer bunny was worth the price of the ticket alone. However tonight, she was bit more reserved. Whether it was the smaller OAF stage, the extra band member or maybe it’s apart of the new “mature” approach to their music. It didn’t stop the band from rocking out.
Opening up with “Carve Your Name” and “Silence Is Golden” the group packed their set with their classic Grates tracks. “19-20-20”, “Rock Boys” and “Lies Are Much More Fun” saw the crowd dance up a storm and sing along to every word. Even the new tracks from “Secret Rituals” received a warm response and hearing these songs live added an extra appreciation for them. (The album is still growing on me)
However I couldn’t get past the lack of intensity. It just didn’t feel like The Grates without the frantic, manically spinning and twirling around the stage. There’s no doubt Patience has probably one of the sweetest voices in alternative music in Australia and even though she was more reserved on stage, she still manages hold a stage presence that draws you to watch her. Maybe, I can grow to enjoy this more focused side of The Grates. Still a great show, even if it wasn’t what I was expecting.
Guineafowl proved themselves early to be a good choice for support act. Their infectious indie pop compliments their tour mates sound. Singer Nick Meredith looked a bit like a cross of Bowie and Luke Steele with a blue strip of make up across his eyes. Guineafowl played feel good music with a slight shoegazer mentality with swirling guitar lines weaved with boppy keys. Their set was peppered with pop gems including a cover of Sia’s “Clap Your Hands”.
The one thing that always impressed me with The Grates is their live show. Watching Patience dance around a stage for 90 minutes without tiring like she was the energizer bunny was worth the price of the ticket alone. However tonight, she was bit more reserved. Whether it was the smaller OAF stage, the extra band member or maybe it’s apart of the new “mature” approach to their music. It didn’t stop the band from rocking out.
Opening up with “Carve Your Name” and “Silence Is Golden” the group packed their set with their classic Grates tracks. “19-20-20”, “Rock Boys” and “Lies Are Much More Fun” saw the crowd dance up a storm and sing along to every word. Even the new tracks from “Secret Rituals” received a warm response and hearing these songs live added an extra appreciation for them. (The album is still growing on me)
However I couldn’t get past the lack of intensity. It just didn’t feel like The Grates without the frantic, manically spinning and twirling around the stage. There’s no doubt Patience has probably one of the sweetest voices in alternative music in Australia and even though she was more reserved on stage, she still manages hold a stage presence that draws you to watch her. Maybe, I can grow to enjoy this more focused side of The Grates. Still a great show, even if it wasn’t what I was expecting.
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