Emiliana Torrini @ The Forum,Melbourne (18/11/08)

Thu 20th Nov, 2008 in Gig Reviews

There is always a special feeling I have associated with gigs at the Forum, latched on to the side of each memory like warming filter. Tonight’s show would be no exception. Charge Group, instead of kicking the crowd into action, lulled them into a lovely shoe gazing haze. Large rolling sounds filled the blue-tinged space with the crowd pleasantly sitting around. Only the statues were left on their feet.

The crowd were mostly in pairs made up of handsomely-stubbled boys, and cute girls holding on to their bike helmets. As my companion noted it was a – œcool, kind and thoughtful looking crowd’. And the crowd kindly applauded the Charge Group as their full, fuzzy soundscapes bounced around the walls and back on itself. I wondered how I would describe this band through the pigeonholing of genre labels, yet only noted a – œpost’ in there somewhere would be appropriate.

The crowd was sparse and chilled, though there was no one left sitting on the floor once Charge Group left the stage. We moved forward, which was surprisingly easy to do, and I could see the stage! Not an easy feat for someone of my small stature. After some slightly inappropriate foot stomping from a trio up the front, the band walked on to polite applause. Looking shorter than I’d expected (i.e. almost as tall as me) Emiliana Torrini at once enchanted the audience with both her modesty and comic story-telling ability.

I was surprised when Torrini mentioned this was possibly her biggest gig ever. She said she was very nervous but was impressed with the venue, with it’s – œstadium’ feel and naked statues keeping watch. Calmly moving into the opening song – œFireheads’, which is also the fantastic opener for Torrini’s most recent release Me and Armini, the crowd were obviously pleased to hear it. After the guitars were brought down in the mix, Torrini’s clear and innocent voice made its way above the crowd.

After this Torrini played Heartstopper and Lifesaver from her second release Fisherman’s Woman, having to ask the crowd for the lyrics to the latter. This was perhaps her nerves coming through, yet no one seemed to mind. We just giggled like schoolchildren, all softened up from her stories of body snatchers and pubic hairs clawing their way to freedom. Perhaps the pitter-patter syllables of her Icelandic accent helped, but even so she was still a very funny lady.

Jungle Drum was a delight to watch, as she – œparrappapumpum-ed’ her way through, translating much better live than on the album. Ha Ha brought things down a notch, and the expression on Torrini’s face gave the crowd a rare insight into the song she wrote for someone she idolises, but who is killing themselves with alcohol. Another highlight was – œBirds’, also off her new release. This stunning, slow-burning tune, with a beautiful instrumental break in the middle before it’s soaring finish, had the crowd transfixed.

More was to follow: xylophone stylings, Torrini’s excitement levels almost reaching the – œpooping her pants’ stage and more stories, most pertaining to the songs that they preceded. Sunny Road, one of her biggest singles, was described as being about falling in love and making the brave decision of not dealing with it, then running away and coming back one day in the hope her love would not head-butt her.

I could easily write down every story here, but I wouldn’t do justice to the innocent and delightful manner in which they were conveyed. As well as this, it would take away from the brilliant show that Emiliana Torrini and her band put together. Of course, part of the show was about her engagement with the crowd, and this worked very successfully. But as a singer, Torrini has such a fresh, beautiful voice that comes over just as polished as on her albums.

Torrini finished with a three-song encore that included Nothing Brings Me Down, Unemployed In Summertime and Fisherman’s Woman. The final moments were intense as it looked as if she were about to cry from the emotion of the song, and I felt the whole crowd take a breath before bringing down the house with applause.