You Am I, The Daybridges, TheGin Club @ The Zoo 28/10/2004

Mon 1st Nov, 2004 in Gig Reviews

In what had to be one of the best gigs of this year, The Gin Club and The Daybridges joined rock kings You Am I for an unforgettable show at the Zoo on the first date of their Cross Country Vandalism tour.

Local seven-piece The Gin Club were first on stage, and won over the crowd with their blend of blues, country and jazz. The band has been performing for about one year, and in this time has secured support slots for some noteworthy gigs, including Tim Rogers’ solo performance earlier this year. Performing a slew of songs from their self-titled debut album, the band put on a captivating performance, with tunes such as Bats and You Make It Hard illustrating their uniqueness and talent.

The Daybridges played a cracker of a set. I have grown very fond of this band, and it was great to see so many people get into their performance and give them the reception they deserve. Opening with Losing Control, the first track off their EP of the same name, the four-piece had heads bopping and toes tapping with their searing brand of blues-rock. However, it was Janis that really blew me away. Pete Cullen’s vocals were spot-on and the groovy rock overtones of the song made it impossible to stand still. Girls Girls Girls and I Want You, both tracks off their first EP (entitled I Want You), rocked the Zoo to its foundations with their explosive riffs and bluesy swagger. She’s A Liar was also a highlight, with its dirty rock formula and infectious energy.

Before too long, You Am I graced the stage amidst a deafening welcome. Playing for over an hour and a half, they demonstrated precisely why they are one of Australia’s most respected and successful rock bands. Tim Rogers, Russell Hopkinson, Andy Kent and Davey Lane proceeded to storm through a decadent, adrenaline-fueled set that included a repertoire of songs spanning their career to date (eleven years and counting). Second track Nifty Lil’ Number Like You got the crowd jumping. Two songs later, upon the commencement of Cathy’s Clown, the crowd added singing to the jumping, yelling along with Rogers as he asked, “did you ever never want to let anybody down?” Who Put the Devil In You, She Digs Her, Bring Some Sun Back Wit’ You and Soldiers displayed rock and roll at its finest. Each of these songs reinforced the fact that one of the greatest things about seeing You Am I live is that your attention is commanded, captured and unwaveringly held from the beginning to the very end.

Before Trike was played, Rogers asked the audience ‘do you feel good?’ The collective answer nearly blew the roof off. Berlin Chair provoked yet another joyous sing-along before the band left the stage. Of course, not a soul moved and the chanting and stomping increased until the band came back on to play a three-song encore, which included Get Up, working everyone into a veritable frenzy.

Looking back, I cannot criticise any aspect of this performance. Rogers’ voice soared through the melodies, while the rhythm section of Kent and Hopkinson remained unflagging, and Lane’s guitar playing was nothing short of phenomenal.