King Tide @ Transit Bar,Canberra, (15/11//08)

Fri 21st Nov, 2008 in Gig Reviews

A hint of summer was in the air on Saturday night at Transit Bar when Sydney’s King Tide floated in on a wave of horns and feel good reggae beats. From the opening bars of the first song Fly Dub I felt as though I should be lying on the sand of a tropical island sipping pina colada’s!

The next few songs had the eclectic crowd up on their feet moving and grooving in a swell of hemp pants and tie-dyed skirts. However there did seem to be a distinct lack of a certain smoky substance drifting around the room, I guess we can put that down to the new rules on smoking in enclosed venues.

This electric nine piece had the place buzzing as they blasted out one dynamite tune after another. Their vibrant horns section had rude boys and girls alike skanking their feet off with a lively set list that included Simmer Down, Mr Brown, Worlds Gone Wack and Skanky Bone.

King Tide brought an atmosphere to Transit Bar that was so thick you could cut it with a knife. The whole room was in high spirits and ready to enjoy a long colourful night of energetic tunes and good company.
There must have been something special in the air (keeping in mind the distinct lack of weed mentioned earlier). Although a decent proportion of the patrons were there for King Tide and King Tide alone, Transit Bar was packed to the rafters. Those unsuspecting patrons along for a few drinks with some friends seemed more than pleasantly surprised at the talent up on stage with a number of people telling me to put my trusty little notepad down to join them on the dance floor. How could I refuse?

With an epic set list behind them I thought there was no possible way the night could get better and was just about ready to make my journey home (or on to the next bar), when they busted out an awesome cover of The Specials A Message To You Rudy which still sends tingles down my spine.

If you’ve never heard of King Tide before and haven’t seen them in their fleshy reggae goodness, for the love of Bob Marley get yourself off to their next gig…your ears will love you for it (although your feet may not)!