Check out our photos from this amazing night HERE
A lack of distinguishable crowd enthusiasm can almost really kill a gig. I mean, if you were keen enough to see a band that you continually rang Triple J to score a ticket or purchased one from a very limited number which sold out quick smart, you’d think you’d try to look like you were having a good time, right? This isn’t a Sigur Ros gig – it’s not inappropriate to jump around and dance, y’know. Luckily though it was The Grates who were performing a this, their secret show, and no amount of “too cool” syndrome could ever get this Redland Shire trio down, and in no way does it ever stop them from producing some of the catchiest tunes ever produced within this country.
Achieving international acclaim and buzz ban status is really a double-edged sword – you have the luxury of gaining plenty of exposure, however it’s amazing how fast and how extreme your so-called “fans” can turn on you once you pass that “hip” phase. Now I know I’ve used a few inverted commas already, but I’m trying to make a point here. The Grates are a great band; full of fun and boundless energy, and they continually produce catchy, party anthems which deserve a lot of praise from the music world. Call me ignorant of objectivity, but I love The Grates. So why is it that almost all of these people failed to express the same enthusiasm as I did when the band they all came to see performed? Enough ranting – on with the review.
From the moment Patience, John and Alana stepped onto stage, there was a definite lack of enthusiasm from the crowd – enough to show some appreciation for the band, but not enough to warrant the label of an “excited crowd” (there go those inverted commas again). We’re in the middle of the Brisbane River, about to watch an amazingly fun, talented band and all the audience can muster is a pithy array of light hand claps and reserved cheering?! Not good enough.
Greeting the crowd with her typical innocent, fun-loving smile, Patience lead her two counterparts into a set full of energetic pop-rock ditties which would make even the saddest mope bop about. Debuting tracks off their upcoming sophomore album Teeth Lost, Hearts Won plus a generous handful of older songs throughout the set, The Grates displayed their trademark charisma and panache from start to finish. Lead single Burn Bridges from the new album is a worthy addition to the band’s already replete repertoire of insanely danceable songs, yet it seemed lost on the crowd.
Joining the audience on the floor, Patience spaced a circle around her large enough so as to partake in her ribbon-twirling routine to the tune of Rock Boys, with the crowd yet again failing to respond or interact in any kind of overtly appreciative manner. Undeterred, the three-piece were all smiles as they continued to blast out a slew of greats such as Feels Like Pain, The Message, Sukkafish and Trampoline before departing the stage, only to return moments later to finish on the ever-popular 19-20-20. Admittedly, the use of confetti (the whole two miniature canisters of it) was a bit naff given the small amount, but The Grates are never ones to break from tradition.
With the act finally at an end, the boat headed land bound as the DJ kept the mood light and fun until the ship had docked and unloaded its relatively unappreciative cargo. While the crowd might have been a bit slack, it is a testament to The Grates that they still put on an amazing show with as much gusto as ever. The new tracks sound brilliant, and the older songs were performed beautifully, making this gig a truly awesome evening. For those of you who really do appreciate these guys, I’m sure I will see you at the record store picking up their new album and at the next show dancing around like lunatics beside me. We can only hope the crowd next time around pay more respect to a true Australian gem.
