When I initially saw the tour poster for Broken Social Scene I was excited to see BSS offshoots (and a great band in their own right) Stars as special guests. What no one told me is that Stars played with BSS in Melbourne only. I was a bit bummed, but when I saw that Belles Will Ring would be the support for the evening I knew they’d do a good job.
Mood Patterns, Belles Will Ring’s debut album was released last year to critical acclaim. Since then they’ve started planning their follow up which frontman Liam says will be out this year “even if it kills us”. The psych-pop foursome opened with an instrumental freakout and soon launched into The Coldest Heart, much to the delight of the ever swelling crowd. In-between song banter was ample and the boys seemed elated opening for BSS telling us that we’re in for a treat – as if we didn’t know! They managed a new song or two and also played closer to home with radio faves Mad Love and Park Benches. A competent display from a more than able band.
When the Laneway Festival lineup was announced it stated that BSS head honcho Kevin Drew was to perform in solo mode. This however later changed to a full band, and tonight there were six band members – a rather modest size considering there’s been up to twelve on stage! LCD Soundsystem’s Someone Great was the intro as Kevin took to the stage, having a chat to fans and introducing all the band members and the other bands they’re in (Do Make Say Think and Apostle of Hustle among the more notable!). It was then that it was announced they will have a special guest for the evening – iPod-approving Feist in her only BSS Australian show as rapturous applause ensued. Feist did quite a job of lending her delectable vocals and guitar skills to such tracks as Shoreline, Swimmers and Almost Crimes – all the while looking great along the way.
After 30 minutes of playing Kevin announced that they were going to have a short break as they “can’t hear shit through the monitors”. When they came back they sounded as perfect as can be. It was an equal display of old and new with their selection of songs – from Feel Good Lost to You Forgot It In People to Broken Social Scene Presents Kevin Drew, Spirit If….
A lot of their charm comes from their chaotic onstage style: constant instrument and singer rotation and this is what makes it so exciting seeing them. One moment you’d have Kevin on guitar then he’d move to the keyboard, after that he’d take on the drums. Feist made appearances when a female voice was necessary, her angelic voice greatly appreciated by the eager punters.
Broken Social Scene played for just over two hours and in that time it’s fair to say that the folk at the Manning Bar got their Canadian indie fix. In between scoring soundtracks (2006’s Half Nelson), releasing solo albums and giving us a taster of a few songs from the new album it’s clear to see that Kevin Drew and Broken Social Scene will not soon be forgotten. Just like their live show.
