The New Pornographers @ TheCorner Hotel, Melbourne(11/10/08)

Wed 15th Oct, 2008 in Gig Reviews

The New Pornographers really brought it to the Corner on what was a big weekend of pseudo-sideshows that trouped through Melbourne, touring despite the cancelled Great Escape festival. Supported by Tassie’s The Stoics and Melbourne natives Plug-In City, the gig had an undercurrent of energy brought by that ‘wow, shit, it’s spring!’ weather and the presence of one of Canada’s finest bands.

Straight up, A.C. Newman and his talented bandmates played six songs in rollicking succession, with no words nor introductions, and swept the spring-fevered crowd along with them. Once they did begin the banter, its impact was all the sweeter – these people are funny bastards. Drummer Kurt Dahle showed that he is a bona fide goofball – when the band hassled the crowd about bland Australian esky hip-hop they’d heard incessantly on the radio, the crowd playfully reminded them of their infamous compatriots (Celine Dion et al). Dahle showed his Canadian love by launching into a manic, impromptu cover of Bryan Adams’ Run to You. Hi-larious. A.C. Newman also granted the crowd an insight into being nearby the ‘Seattle scene’ of the 90s, though this led to a tirade about how much he hated Eddie Vedder (his impersonation was pretty spot on though, considering his dislike for the man!).

Most of the offerings of the night were from 2007’s Challengers album, with a treat here and there that reminded us of the band’s bountiful back catalogue – the singalong classic Mass Romantic from 2000 is a case in point. Hhighlights were My Rights Versus Yours and Challengers (though gosh it would’ve been amazing to have the banjo that features on the recording of that track).

The absence of Neko Case was notable but not detrimental (she’s a busy lady and couldn’t join the band on this tour. So busy that she’s even appeared in the most recent series of Aqua Teen Hunger Force in a cameo role. Bizarre.) The layered harmonies for which the band is renowned were there in spades, with A.C. Newman and Kathryn Calder blending their voices in a heavenly plait of melodies.

The New Pornographers brought a tight, fast-moving set to Melbourne this weekend, and seasoned it with warmth and the clear sense of enjoyment that they seem to get from playing live. They’re a humble lot who just happen to be very talented and excellent at collaborative musicianship. Just don’t get them started on Pearl Jam…