Check out all the photos HERE
Although Thebarton Theatre is seemingly the venue of choice these days for rock bands, recent renovations have leant some of Thebby’s glory to what seems to be the next future hot spot for live music – Higher Ground on Light Square. After a complete revamp of the old Night Train into a classy and spacious bar, what better way to launch the building as a haven musical talent than a performance by renowned prog rockers Karnvivool, supported by Mere Theory and That One Guy.
As the first act of the night, Mere Theory may have had some big shoes to fill for the band that was headlining, but as expected the indie rockers yet again did a great performance and did leave a lasting impression. Next up on the set list for the night was a man who literally redefines the meaning of a “one-man show.” Simply named That One Guy, a less than imaginative title for this performer seemed no matter in the least as he left the audience in complete awe from the moment he walked on stage – and this was why. Though most musicians claim their guitars, bass and drums as another appendage, tonight this performer was clutching none of these things but instead a 7” tall hand-built tubular instrument called ‘The Magic Tube.’
This enormous machinery appeared to have some form of bass strings attached to it that responded with hand movements. As well as this, a number of sound effect pads had been attached that provided the drums, bass and the tempo sounds when pressed, as well an extra drum pedal stationed at his side. Almost the moment the man began to set up, the crowd stopped their leering and gaped at the stage in utter amazement. Projecting the sound of a five-man electronica band, the performer stunned the crowd by playing a variety of tribal drum and bass, jazz, and techno beats with his ‘instrument’ as well as strumming the strings at one point with a credit card to Smoke on The Water and plugging in a boot – yes, a boot – as an additional drum, That One Guy left the stage with that one helluva’ performance that people would definitely be telling their friends about.
And then to grace the stage for the evening were Perth rockers Karnivool. Opening with a slow instrumental track, the mass of fans that had flocked to the front of the stage yelled with excitement for the heavy riffs that were soon to follow. “This is the only way,” sang vocalist Ian Kenny in The Only Way, with at least half of the crowd below mouthing the lyrics along with him. Although Higher Ground didn’t seem to have great acoustics and sound projection, this proved no barrier whatsoever as the vocalist’s vocals were seamlessly tight. “This shit feels good,” says Kenny. “We are ultimately stoked to be in Adelaide!” With the strobe lights already out in full by the second song, a girl next to me began to weep (with what I hoped were tears of joy, and not a retina sensitivity).
One notable feature of Karnivool as performers is the incessant drum beat trickery throughout their music, with rhythms constantly shifting from slow to fast, to progressive to jerky. Despite such complicated drumming through most of their work, when it comes to crunch time the group really prove their talent as successful musicians as drummer Richie Wise pulls off every double kick and symbol crash effortlessly. Performing songs like COTE and Roquefort, the group wrap it up just past midnight with an encore of the favourite Themata with everyone going freakin’ crazy at this point. A big performance for a not-so-big venue (and not to mention a handful of potentially dangerous moshers in there), a great show from all the contributing musicians.
Check out all the photos HERE
