For all readers concerned with journalistic integrity I urge you not to read on, as this will quite likely be a biased review. No, I’m not related to Gareth Liddiard, nor has a member of the band tipped me off – I simply have an unadulterated adoration for The Drones. But hey – what is a music review without rose tinted recollections right?
The last time I saw The Drones was at Golden Plains. The festival was a pissy affair to say the least and I was left with few tangible memories, so I was damn excited to get the chance to see them do their thing whilst I was in a sober state. The Drones are a band that keep their followers wanting more – more albums, more shows, more more – and this evening performance was no exception.
I am a huge fan of the support band for this tour, Snowman, however, the realities of a Thursday night gig, meant I missed their set and found myself getting into prime viewing position on the back steps of the Annandale just as The Drones opened with Jezebel. For a band having recently returned from a huge tour of Europe the energy on stage was strong, although you could note the post/mid tour weariness ever so slightly in Gareth’s drawl.
They moved quickly through their set as the first few songs almost blurred into one. They offered up crowd favourites, to a slightly “Thursday” looking crowd (smaller and less inclined to move), which included Shark Fin Blues and an oh-so speedy I Don’t Ever Want to Change. The pace of the set was all over the joint, as was the set list, which I find a common nuance of bands who have been on the road for a long time.
They offered up the glorious She Had An Abortion That She Made Me Pay For, Locust and Baby2 (or was that wishful thinking)? They played a long set for a Thursday night, for the majority of which Fiona kept her back turned to the audience. If it was due to fatigue, you couldn’t tell as her bass lines were impeccable as she rambled along with Noga on drums
They closed the show off with two encores, my favorite being the two man harmonic and guitar effort Sixteen Straws. This is an epic story that just travels along so beautifully. No matter where I hear it I am momentarily transported to a bygone era. And tonight the weariness in Gareth’s voice, which was cracking slightly by midnight, only gave the tale a saddened charm.
The Drones are by far one the most amazing bands to come out of this country in a long time, and tonight they left me wanting a new album, another tour and wishing I had got tickets to the Friday night show too.
