Epicure @ The Annandale Hotel,Sydney (23/10/08)

Tue 28th Oct, 2008 in Gig Reviews

Much to their credit, it’s near impossible to pigeonhole Epicure. Bands like this that can really surprise you live, and that’s exactly what happened last Thursday at Sydney’s Annandale Hotel.

Opening acts Ryan Hazell and Sailmaker got the night started before the main support Downhills Home. I was speaking to someone at the merch desk when I was told Epicure were on the stage and just about to start. I had wanted to see Downhills Home but I must have missed them. I ran back inside, found my friend and sat down to watch the show.

Being a slightly more laid-back gig, the Annandale had couches set up towards the back of the main room, giving the venue a relaxed atmosphere. The band took to the stage and began with what must be a song from their new album. I had seen Epicure earlier in the year at The Vanguard and not only wasn’t this song familiar, they also didn’t look very familiar. It wasn’t until the very end of the set when I had to be told that the band was actually Downhills Home that I realised I should possibly not put so much faith in things I happen to over hear at the merch desk.

Downhills Home play a similar style of music to Epicure, partially due to sharing lead guitarist Michael Hubbard. The excellent harmonies between Hubbard and singer Sean McMahon were the standout of the set. To put it most simply – I thought they were the headline act for the good part of an hour.

Epicure (and this time it was them) were next on stage to a now mostly-full room. Epicure’s show at The Vanguard earlier in the year was good, but Thursday night’s was outstanding. Playing a mixture of songs from the new album Postcards From A Ghost and favourites like Self Destruct In Five, Armies Against Me And Cobra Kisses, they sounded a lot bigger than a five-piece at times. Just as they did in the last set, Hubbard’s harmonies again stood out. That’s also a credit to singer Juan Alban, who was on point all night. It was a beautifully played and very entertaining set, with Tightrope Walker from their previous album Main Street perhaps the highlight of the night.

This was a great gig with beautiful songs played by skilled musicians – there are still a couple more dates on the tour if you want to catch Epicure.