Sleigh Bells - w/ DZ Deathrays - Sydney, 19th January 2013
Words: Todd Lockley
DZ Deathrays were the band selected to prequel the evenings main course, launching through and enrgetic set that may have just gone well enough with one of the headline act touting them as future touring buddies in the US sometime soon. They had feet tapping and bodys shaking, especially with commercial success of Dollar Chills and Rad Solar.
After such a scorcher the previous day, Sydney Big Day Out punters could be forgiven for only half filling up the downsized Metro Theatre. That was until the unrelenting power and epicness of Sleigh Bells was unleashed on those who were rewarded with their attendance. Tattooed beauty Alexis Krauss bounded onstage, full of beans, to the thumping intro of Crown On The Ground.
Soon, lead axe man Derek Miller and touring backer Jason Boyer joined her through the purple, ominous strobe lights at stage front, the 12 Marshall Stacks blasting a sonic boom. A perfect visual back drop. Kraus was amazing to watch, in a cute little pink top, cut off cheek shorts and scattered tattoos. She made her way into the front row during latest single Born To Lose and with a trademark "Sydney! What The Fuck IS Up!?" before blasted into Reign Of Terror opener True Shred Guitar.
End Of The Line made it a little easier to see the band, as the light show was unrelenting through the heavier tracks, it also brought the pace down enough to catch a breath after the 3 punch assault opening. One thing that's obvious about Krauss is was how truly
After such a scorcher the previous day, Sydney Big Day Out punters could be forgiven for only half filling up the downsized Metro Theatre. That was until the unrelenting power and epicness of Sleigh Bells was unleashed on those who were rewarded with their attendance. Tattooed beauty Alexis Krauss bounded onstage, full of beans, to the thumping intro of Crown On The Ground.
Soon, lead axe man Derek Miller and touring backer Jason Boyer joined her through the purple, ominous strobe lights at stage front, the 12 Marshall Stacks blasting a sonic boom. A perfect visual back drop. Kraus was amazing to watch, in a cute little pink top, cut off cheek shorts and scattered tattoos. She made her way into the front row during latest single Born To Lose and with a trademark "Sydney! What The Fuck IS Up!?" before blasted into Reign Of Terror opener True Shred Guitar.
End Of The Line made it a little easier to see the band, as the light show was unrelenting through the heavier tracks, it also brought the pace down enough to catch a breath after the 3 punch assault opening. One thing that's obvious about Krauss is was how truly
thankful and adorable she is. She is without doubt one of the best front women in the game right now. She always thanked the crowd for their support after each and every song. Bless.
The double kick drum machine shook the Metro as Comeback Kid erupted and MIller and Boyer switched places back and forth, toying with the front row fans. After the absolute riot that was Tell Em, Krauss joked with the crowd, confirming that "If you came to see us at Big Day Out as well as today, we're bad for your health, your eyes, and your ears". She was kinda right. The noise rock was extreme and the strobe at a seizure pace, but god damn, could they deliver!
After earlier seeing Krauss get involved in the crowd, Infinity Guitars signalled the boys' turn as they got up on the front barrier and trully rocked some of the classic rock star posses. Not to be out done, as the boys left the stage for the encore, Krauss crowd surfed atop the punters fingers while she sung Rill, Rill without missing a beat. True rock star babe styley.
Never Say Die brought Sleigh Bells back for more awesome encore action, before A B Machines rounded out the evening in an array of lights, strobes, smoke and the best loud music any real music fan could ask for. The only bummer was the absense of Crush and Run The Heart from the setlist, but even that could be overlooked after the performance Sleigh Bells presented. They trully were amazing. Lets hope next time we get them nationally.
The double kick drum machine shook the Metro as Comeback Kid erupted and MIller and Boyer switched places back and forth, toying with the front row fans. After the absolute riot that was Tell Em, Krauss joked with the crowd, confirming that "If you came to see us at Big Day Out as well as today, we're bad for your health, your eyes, and your ears". She was kinda right. The noise rock was extreme and the strobe at a seizure pace, but god damn, could they deliver!
After earlier seeing Krauss get involved in the crowd, Infinity Guitars signalled the boys' turn as they got up on the front barrier and trully rocked some of the classic rock star posses. Not to be out done, as the boys left the stage for the encore, Krauss crowd surfed atop the punters fingers while she sung Rill, Rill without missing a beat. True rock star babe styley.
Never Say Die brought Sleigh Bells back for more awesome encore action, before A B Machines rounded out the evening in an array of lights, strobes, smoke and the best loud music any real music fan could ask for. The only bummer was the absense of Crush and Run The Heart from the setlist, but even that could be overlooked after the performance Sleigh Bells presented. They trully were amazing. Lets hope next time we get them nationally.