Mutemath - Adelaide, 21st March 2013
Words: Jo Taylor
Never before has such an impressively long line up been spotted at Fowlers Live! At first this was written off as just an enthusiastic all ages crowd eagerly making their way to the show.
Melbourne duo Big Scary, comprising of singer/guitarist/keyboardist Tom Lansek and drummer Jo Syme, kicked off the evening. Playing their impressive indie-folk tunes including Phil Collins, Gladiator and their latest single Leaving Home, they got the crowd sufficiently warmed up and into gear for the main act. Their on-stage banter about their time in Adelaide endeared them to the crowd and it was good to see a support with a filled room.
Soon though, the lights dimmed and the stage was ready for New Orleans 4-piece Mutemath. Everyone could hear music, but there was no one to be seen on stage. In true New Orleans fashion, the guys strode in single file with various forms of percussion through the crowd, immediately setting the tone for the night. Once on stage, drummer Darren King gaffa taped headphones to his head and lead singer/keyboardist Paul Meany wooed the crowd before launching into the rocking Odd Soul.
Continuing with the rollicking Prytania and Blood Pressure, they kept the energy levels high and suddenly the long lines made sense! The guys put everything into it and its clear they’re loving every minute of this just as much as the crowd, who sang along to every word.
Bassist Roy Mitchell-Cårdenas rocks out with his long locks in the back whilst guitarist Todd Gummerman keeps those thick guitar sounds buzzing and of course drummer Darren King with his bright Hawaiian shirt (crisp out the pack apparently). But it’s the charismatic Paul Meany that really knows how to work a crowd.
Their 2011 release Odd Soul which followed on from 2006 self titled album and 2009 Armistice has really made people sit up and take notice and their live shows prove they are a force to be reckoned with.
Melbourne duo Big Scary, comprising of singer/guitarist/keyboardist Tom Lansek and drummer Jo Syme, kicked off the evening. Playing their impressive indie-folk tunes including Phil Collins, Gladiator and their latest single Leaving Home, they got the crowd sufficiently warmed up and into gear for the main act. Their on-stage banter about their time in Adelaide endeared them to the crowd and it was good to see a support with a filled room.
Soon though, the lights dimmed and the stage was ready for New Orleans 4-piece Mutemath. Everyone could hear music, but there was no one to be seen on stage. In true New Orleans fashion, the guys strode in single file with various forms of percussion through the crowd, immediately setting the tone for the night. Once on stage, drummer Darren King gaffa taped headphones to his head and lead singer/keyboardist Paul Meany wooed the crowd before launching into the rocking Odd Soul.
Continuing with the rollicking Prytania and Blood Pressure, they kept the energy levels high and suddenly the long lines made sense! The guys put everything into it and its clear they’re loving every minute of this just as much as the crowd, who sang along to every word.
Bassist Roy Mitchell-Cårdenas rocks out with his long locks in the back whilst guitarist Todd Gummerman keeps those thick guitar sounds buzzing and of course drummer Darren King with his bright Hawaiian shirt (crisp out the pack apparently). But it’s the charismatic Paul Meany that really knows how to work a crowd.
Their 2011 release Odd Soul which followed on from 2006 self titled album and 2009 Armistice has really made people sit up and take notice and their live shows prove they are a force to be reckoned with.
They kept the night flowing with Spotlight, Control and Clipping before Meany informed the crowd that King had just recently become a father, and that, just as heart warming, guitarist Gummerman had become a father to a cat (naww), before launching into a new song for the crowd’s ears to feast on.
Noticed and Allies were brilliant and then the audience was treated to a song that they were still in the stages of writing. The plan, Meany enlightened us, was to write a song throughout the tour of Australia. It had begun a few nights earlier in Perth. For a song that was still in the formative stages, it sure sounded good. Can’t wait to see how it turns out by the end of the tour.
They briefly slowed the evening down with the beautiful Amendment and Reset. Eventually the set ended with Electrify, which left the cold night outside a distant memory. No one was about to let this night end and one of the loudest calls for encore encountered at Fowlers Live ensued.
Of course, they returned with Break The Same and it was during Typical that Meany climbed aboard an inflatable raft lit up with lights and drifted over the still singing crowd, at one point narrowly missing a ceiling fan. Ending an epic night in epic fashion, from beginning to end these guys rocked the crowd and proved one of the best acts this reviewer has seen at Fowlers Live.
Noticed and Allies were brilliant and then the audience was treated to a song that they were still in the stages of writing. The plan, Meany enlightened us, was to write a song throughout the tour of Australia. It had begun a few nights earlier in Perth. For a song that was still in the formative stages, it sure sounded good. Can’t wait to see how it turns out by the end of the tour.
They briefly slowed the evening down with the beautiful Amendment and Reset. Eventually the set ended with Electrify, which left the cold night outside a distant memory. No one was about to let this night end and one of the loudest calls for encore encountered at Fowlers Live ensued.
Of course, they returned with Break The Same and it was during Typical that Meany climbed aboard an inflatable raft lit up with lights and drifted over the still singing crowd, at one point narrowly missing a ceiling fan. Ending an epic night in epic fashion, from beginning to end these guys rocked the crowd and proved one of the best acts this reviewer has seen at Fowlers Live.