Since Big Day Out this year, Faker have been one of my favourite bands. It may have something to do with the fact that Be The Twilight is an incredible album, and possibly also Nathan Hudson’s presence on stage; I couldn’t say. But I was rather excited to be able to see them again.
So on Friday night I arrived at Billboard midway through the first band, Violent Soho, an unsigned band from Brisbane. My friend described them as a “screamo version of Nirvana”, and I tend to agree with them. They were engaging, and the onstage banter was amusing at times. They also had free badges; brilliant if you want to be remembered, because most people who love live music love badges too.
A little later, Sydney electro trio Grafton Primary hit the stage. My first thought on seeing vocalist Josh Garden, was that I should have been standing in the middle of a goth club, such was his attire and demeanor. Even though I thoroughly enjoyed the set, I spent most of it waiting for him to crack a smile. Josh’s brother Ben played the keytar like a pro and drummer Robbie appeared to be playing electric drums as well as the standard variety. Also noted was Josh’s dancing, which could only be described as interesting, but definitely didnt detract from the overall performance.
Finally, after much elbowing from the crowd vying to get the best spots to see the main attraction (I have the bruises to prove it), Faker opened with The Familiar and Bodies, both from first album Addicted Romantic, then followed on with Sleepwalking and Voodoo Economics from latest album Be The Twilight. The set was packed with energetic songs, with the band keeping up the energy through the 15 song set. Nathan teased the crowd at the front by leaning forward, hand outstretched multiple times, but only touching hands with a few people. Some girl yelled out “You can give me a kitchen handjob, Nathan!” in allusion to lyrics from Voodoo Economics (it was “kitchenhand job”, totally different meaning) and I managed to get hit in the back of the head by no less than 5 crowdsurfers; a small price to pay for a good place at the front though.
For the encore Nathan played an acoustic song called Deathwish and the band closed the night with Quarter To Three. The crowd applauded and cheered, clearly impressed with the show, and then the obligatory scramble for setlists and assorted paraphernalia began. (I managed to score a setlist, which is just as well, since taking notes at gig in the middle of a moshpit is impossible and I dont recommend it, lest you get irate and stab someone with your pen.)
FAKER SETLIST
The Familiar
Bodies
Sleepwalking
Voodoo Economics
Love For Sale
Dont Hide
Lost and Found
Lazy Bones
Hurricane
Teenage Werewolf
Kids on Overload
Dumb Mistakes
Killer on the Loose
Are You Magnetic
This Heart Attack
