Slowdive are an incredibly rare band. For starters, 2017’s self-titled album came more than two decades after their last. And it was not only good, it was possibly their best ever work. They’ve also consequently enjoyed a serious revival in terms of fandom and popularity and critical attention, which saw them land on many annual best-of lists alongside festival lineups. When they started performing live again, it was immediately apparent that their resurgence wasn’t limited to the record.
The band’s return to Australia—for Laneway festival and a series of headline sideshows—marked their first visit to our shores in about 25 years. They opted for small venues including Sydney’s Metro Theatre, a venue that uniquely lends itself so a really wide range of genres and types of energy.
The great thing about the crowd was that you could smell the excitement from the Slowdive lifers, those who’ve been waiting decades to catch the shoegaze heroes in the flesh. Intermingled were the newer converts, those who were either introduced to Slowdive via their new album, or somehow discovered them over the last few years. The point is, there was no snobbishness to be seen, just a really widespread group of people here to see a wonderful band for the first time in many audience member’s lives. And yes, they delivered. The show was a mesmerising triumph.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kB2ot1PWy8
Accompanied by a dizzying array of psychedelic visuals, floating motifs and trippy patterns, Slowdive’s long-awaited live return proved just how transformative their music is. Their music carries this unique blend of energetic punk minimalism and the dreamy, shoegaze ambience, coming to life in its own way on stage, with a strength that can’t be copied on record. Meditative waves of jangly guitars, airy vocals and swaying percussion, the kind that hypnotises you well before you realise it.
For almost two hours, the UK band delivered a set that didn’t just please the crowd—it was clearly a pleasure to perform. Though there was almost no crowd interaction, lead singer Rachel Goswell noted how long it had been since their last visit. Most of Slowdive was performed for the crowd, with plenty of time still left over to share long, long-awaited live renditions from their early ’90s days, like Souvlaki Space Station and of course 40 Days, along with a tribute to Syd Barrett, covering the late artist’s 1970 track Golden Hair.
Not many bands can pull off this kind of resurgence. Then again, there aren’t many bands quite like Slowdive. Whether or not they’ll ever return again is anyone’s guess. But for those who were finally able to tick this performance off their bucket list, and those who surpassed the decades of waiting, thanks to a late discovery, one thing is certain: this show won’t be easy to forget.
Image: Supplied
Laneway aptly marked it’s humble beginnings in a Melbourne laneway in 2005. It has since built a reputation as a festival with it’s finger firmly on the pulse of the music industry, despite canning one of Australia’s foremost up-and-coming artists from the bill this year (cc: Kirin J Callinan).
Nevertheless, we savour the release of each lineup with intense anticipation because the event delivers a solid slew of talent from around the world every single year; from artists who we don’t usually see in this neck of the woods, to absolute crowd favourites we can’t get enough of.
Part II had us at Mac DeMarco, who is and always will be a festival favourite with his random tangents, on-stage quirks and warm adoration for his fans. We caught the enigmatic Moses Sumney next who walked out in a black cloak, surrounded in mystery. Anderson .Paak and his band The Free Nationals were arguably the most anticipated act of the day and they delivered in droves. BADBADNOTGOOD served up some sonic smoothness before we caught Father John Misty changing guitars several times due to technical difficulties. “I think ODESZA has, like 60 acoustic guitars. How can I compete?” And, on cue, the Seattle producers took the Garden Stage with their shiny new drumline (sans the guitars) and gave us a taste of their impeccable live show.
Then we headed over for POND who never fail to amaze, with manic frontman Nic Allbrook fawning over the stage and amongst the crowd all at once. Thirsty for some heavy electronica, TOKiMONSTA’s set was exactly what we ordered before we rounded out the night the only way one should, with a wall of hot shoegaze and Slowdive came correct. Another hectic time full of unforgettable moments.
Until next year, Laneway.
Photos: Dani Hansen
Mac DeMarco
Moses Sumney
Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals
BADBADNOTGOOD
Father John Misty
ODESZA
POND
TOKiMONSTA
Slowdive
Photos: Dani Hansen/Howl & Echoes
We’re currently in the throes of the festival season 2018. With the New Years events behind us, Laneway Festival is what we’re setting our sights on next. The 2018 lineup is filled with wonderful, diverse, talented acts—so many that you’d be hard pressed to catch them all during the festival itself. Likewise, while festivals are great for many reasons, some shows are simply better on their own. Not only do you get a full-length set as opposed to the 40-odd minutes at a festival, but you’re guaranteed a crowd that’s more passionate, enthusiastic and excited to see that one particular band.
Luckily, most Laneway artists are performing at least a couple sideshows while they’re in Australia. Here’s our five top picks.
Slowdive
https://youtu.be/F2YJbTrxeos
There aren’t many artists who can return after 22 years with a good album. Slowdive returned after 22 years with a really, really, really good album. Slowdive easily rivals the band’s earlier releases, and might even be their best to date. I was lucky enough to catch them performing overseas last year and can genuinely say it was one of the most gorgeous live shows I’ve seen in years, if not ever.
Slowdive Tour Dates
Jan 31: Metro Theatre, Sydney
Feb 8: Forum, Melbourne
The Internet
https://youtu.be/CNJkas_LiCM
Led by the incredibly talented Syd, The Internet are a band who, though a nightmare to search for online, have been producing some of the most original, sensual, smoky R&B in recent years. Originally formed as an offshoot of the Odd Future collective, there’s a good reason they’re still touring off the back of their incredible 2015 album Ego Death—it’s really, really good on stage.
The Internet Tour Dates
Jan 31: Forum, Melbourne
Feb 9: Enmore Theatre, Sydney
Moses Sumney
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMyRfIpNvPs
It’s difficult to quantify the experience of a Moses Sumney live performance in words. The utterly brilliant, unique artist has the talent to captivate, devastate and delight at once. His intriguing music hits hard on record, but on stage, it takes on a life of its own. Touring his 2017 debut album Aromanticism, this will haunt and hypnotise you long after the show ends.
Moses Sumney Tour Dates
Feb 1: Melbourne Recital Centre, Melbourne
Feb 11: Sydney Opera House, Sydney
Anderson Paak
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OqrcUvrbRY
If you aren’t aware of Anderson Paak, I can only hope the rock you’re living under is comfortable and warm. The hip-hop-meets-R&B-meets-soul wunderkind made a huge splash with his solo album, Malibu, as well as collaborations with artists including Dr Dre, ScHoolboy Q and A Tribe Called Quest. On stage, Paak doesn’t just sing and rap, he also plays drums—at the same time. And he’s incredible at them all.
Anderson Paak Tour Dates
Feb 6: Metro Theatre, Sydney
Feb 7: 170 Russell, Melbourne
S U R V I V E
https://youtu.be/zfAgTIFeXV4
Any Stranger Things fans out there? If you aren’t yet aware, the musical maestros behind the hit series’ brilliant, synth-heavy soundtrack is Texas four-piece SURVIVE. With three albums and at least six EPs under their belt, it’s about time they made their way down under. These will be their first ever shows in Australia, and judging by their immersive, spooky music, it’s going to be something special—whether you’ve seen the show or not.
S U R V I V E Tour Dates
Feb 7: Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
Feb 9: Corner Hotel, Melbourne
Image: Michelle Grace Hunder/Howl & Echoes