The Beautiful Girls - Adelaide, 22nd August 2012
Words: Jo Taylor
Four piece The Beautiful Girls from Sydney played two shows at The Governor Hindmarsh as part of “An Evening with The Beautiful Girls” tour - A Celebration and a Conclusion of 10 incredible years. Tonight’s show was part of an extensive 26 date tour around Australia and was planned as a two part show, divided between an acoustic set followed by a plugged in set.
Just before 9pm, lead singer/guitarist and founding member Mat McHugh with bassist Paul Bromley, drummer Bruce Braybrooke and Hugh Barrett on keyboards took stage in front of fans spanning all generations, from children dancing enthusiastically to older folk dotted around to celebrate this milestone.
McHugh explained the split set had been ditched and were therefore just going to mix it all up, before kicking into first song We’re Already Gone from the record of the same name. With a slow slightly reggae beat to it, this gently eased the crowd into the night, followed by Bring Me Your Cup featured on 2007 album Ziggurats and the reggae dub track My Mind Is An Echo Chamber from 2010 album Spooks, before really hooking everyone in with the incredibly infectious And We’ll Dance On The Ashes Of What’s Left.
All together with no division, McHugh celebrated the first all ages gig of the tour “Love all ages gigs, its not all about selling beer!” he quipped before playing sweet Spanish Town. “So, how you guys feeling tonight? Wednesday night is the hardest night. But if you’re feeling it, show it. Do it!” he encouraged.
Just before 9pm, lead singer/guitarist and founding member Mat McHugh with bassist Paul Bromley, drummer Bruce Braybrooke and Hugh Barrett on keyboards took stage in front of fans spanning all generations, from children dancing enthusiastically to older folk dotted around to celebrate this milestone.
McHugh explained the split set had been ditched and were therefore just going to mix it all up, before kicking into first song We’re Already Gone from the record of the same name. With a slow slightly reggae beat to it, this gently eased the crowd into the night, followed by Bring Me Your Cup featured on 2007 album Ziggurats and the reggae dub track My Mind Is An Echo Chamber from 2010 album Spooks, before really hooking everyone in with the incredibly infectious And We’ll Dance On The Ashes Of What’s Left.
All together with no division, McHugh celebrated the first all ages gig of the tour “Love all ages gigs, its not all about selling beer!” he quipped before playing sweet Spanish Town. “So, how you guys feeling tonight? Wednesday night is the hardest night. But if you’re feeling it, show it. Do it!” he encouraged.
Stunning acoustic lullaby Dela gave the crowd a chance to reflect on their quieter offerings, which gathered momentum when McHugh strapped on the harmonica for the strumming Let’s Take The Long Way Home. When it came time for the catchy Periscopes “I’ve sang this song a billion times, so let me hear you guys sing it” McHugh laughed to which the audience complied with humble appreciation, it was a beautiful moment shared.
Highlight, So It Seems had the crowd come alive and the energy in the room was electric, continued by Triple J favourite Music. Goes to show that a simple set, free from fancy banners or eccentric decor, just great tunes and personal crowd to musician interaction can have the biggest impact. The Governor Hindmarsh is one of Adelaide’s best venues for providing such an atmosphere and the sound for the night was crisp, without distortion making it easy to hear all the fine workings of the music.
Taking it up a notch further with the electric Don’t Wait, followed by older track Black Bird from the very first studio album 2002 release Learn Yourself. High energy 10:10 with reggae breaks and funky Rockers which includes a gorgeous intermingling of Phil Collins’ In the Air Tonight took the night to a whole new level. Gratitude continued the energy then into the rockier I Thought About You which was impossible to stand still for. In Love, another electrified rock tune with a driving beat incorporated Soft Cell’s Tainted Love.
Briefly teasing the crowd with the heavy licks of Black Sabbaths Paranoid introduced The Wrong Side Of Town before older track Morning Sun brought the two hour set to a powerful close.
As the band left stage, no-one was quite ready for this night to end. They returned to a manic crowd and ended with the nights highlight; the simple yet painfully beautiful La Mar (the ocean) which appropriately farewelled The Beautiful Girls, feeling slightly saddened at the departure of them as a band, but left with an overwhelming appreciation that you got to be part of it, while it was happening and anticipation for future offerings by McHugh. A powerful force in the Australian music scene with another exciting chapter to look forward to, keep eyes peeled!
Highlight, So It Seems had the crowd come alive and the energy in the room was electric, continued by Triple J favourite Music. Goes to show that a simple set, free from fancy banners or eccentric decor, just great tunes and personal crowd to musician interaction can have the biggest impact. The Governor Hindmarsh is one of Adelaide’s best venues for providing such an atmosphere and the sound for the night was crisp, without distortion making it easy to hear all the fine workings of the music.
Taking it up a notch further with the electric Don’t Wait, followed by older track Black Bird from the very first studio album 2002 release Learn Yourself. High energy 10:10 with reggae breaks and funky Rockers which includes a gorgeous intermingling of Phil Collins’ In the Air Tonight took the night to a whole new level. Gratitude continued the energy then into the rockier I Thought About You which was impossible to stand still for. In Love, another electrified rock tune with a driving beat incorporated Soft Cell’s Tainted Love.
Briefly teasing the crowd with the heavy licks of Black Sabbaths Paranoid introduced The Wrong Side Of Town before older track Morning Sun brought the two hour set to a powerful close.
As the band left stage, no-one was quite ready for this night to end. They returned to a manic crowd and ended with the nights highlight; the simple yet painfully beautiful La Mar (the ocean) which appropriately farewelled The Beautiful Girls, feeling slightly saddened at the departure of them as a band, but left with an overwhelming appreciation that you got to be part of it, while it was happening and anticipation for future offerings by McHugh. A powerful force in the Australian music scene with another exciting chapter to look forward to, keep eyes peeled!