Check out all the photos HERE
The Melbourne quintet performed an impressive show in front of a substantial crowd in The Electric Light Hotel’s back room called The Producers Bar.
I must admit that I rather misleadingly went into the gig presuming that the Dukes of Windsor were mainly a dance band having only heard the overplayed remixed version of The Others. However I was nicely surprised when I discovered that they are chiefly a rock band with a bit of electro thrown in.
Lead singer Jack Weaving’s distinctive voice goes perfectly with the repetitive drum beats and guitar tunes making dancing involuntary. Weaving displayed his showmanship through out the performance by moving around like a kid suffering from a severe case of ADHD. He jumped around, mucked about with the audience, danced on top of the podium, almost collided with the other band members before finally taking a rest by sitting on one of the speakers. And then after about two minutes he was back bouncing around.
The Dukes were in town to help promote their new super catchy single It’s A War, which if the crowds reaction is anything to go by, is sure to be a hit song. The single is off their soon to be released second album entitled Minus that was recorded in Sweden and produced by music maestro’s Pelle Henriccson and Eskil Lovstrom.
The same unstoppable energy flaunted by The Dukes was also exhibited by their support groups The Waterslides and the bizarrely named Fire! Santa Rosa, Fire! Both are local Adelaide bands who put on quirky and unique shows that had the whole crowd enthralled.
The Waterslides presented their style of peculiar remixed songs that exude vigour and make you just want to get up and boogie even if you are not usually that way inclined. Each band member, with the exception of the drummer, got up on the podium in front of the stage one at a time and did some freestyle dancing. Their show, although short, was jam packed with smoke machines, spontaneous group jumping, an impersonation of a burlesque dance thanks to one of the main singers and even a bubble machine.
Fire! Santa Rosa, Fire! Also rocked out with a more stripped back set, showing off their new female vocalist Caitlin who is a great singer but doesn’t quite posses the confidence just yet to be a real performer. All in all though they played a decent show, but they failed to make the same lasting impression as The Waterslides.
Following the gig fans were able to mingle with The Dukes as they rather humbly socialised with anyone and everyone. Much to my amazement the guys are incredibly down to earth and more than willing to chat small talk with a bunch of strangers.
The night was a definite eye opener as I for one found out that some bands are wrongly pigeon holed as a specific genre of music. The Dukes may now officially call me a fan.
Check out all the photos HERE
