The Temper Trap @ The OxfordArt Factory, Sydney (05/12/08)

Sun 7th Dec, 2008 in Gig Reviews

CHECK OUT ALL THE PHOTOS FROM THE SHOW HERE.

Arriving on time to The Oxford Art Factory, the door staff apologise, telling us that because of the night’s earlier event the J Awards, The Temper Trap gig will be running about an hour late. So after the odd distraction amidst a bustling Friday night crowd on Oxford Street, it’s finally time to step inside to see Melbourne’s favourite new boys on the block TTT.

Whether it was the delayed proceedings or just the sheer talent of Sydney’s Sherlock’s Daughter, the crowd genuinely oozed and squeezed into the usually empty abyss that confronts many a support band. Lone female lead Tanya Horo’s delicate and deliciously splendid voice twinkles amidst esoteric walls of sound from distorted guitars, synth, Mario-like sounds from the use of a Nintendo DS and Horo’s twangy guitar. Their songs change tempo from slow dreamers to songs syncopated by driving bass and staccato drums.

The band looks like its having a ball, moving enthusiastically around the stage. Horo gets on her knees and strums the life out of her guitar. Drummer Will Russell-Turner is instrumental in keeping this fine bunch together by giving each song a distinctive atmosphere, with tightly structured trills or a thumping bass drum. They are a band that need not say much during a set- their music does all of that for them. The enjoyment was palpable as you gazed around the room -everyone was wholeheartedly getting into it, their set drawing rollicking cheers at the close of each song. Having recently been added to the lineup at the Laneway Festival in Sydney, the band will no doubt grow in confidence the chance to play alongside some stellar international acts.

Another band of youngsters – well, high schoolers – Sydney darlings Papa vs. Pretty are up next. Lead singer Tom Rawle bursts out from behind the curtains as they part, writhing with his guitar, his long hair in constant competition for a hand so busily strumming. From his guitar pours jangly riffs wrapped in distortion, his hand a blur on some songs. With Gus Gardiner swapping effortlessly between bass and keys and Rawle’s synth and guitar talents, it’s only drummer Tom Myers who isn’t the multi-instrumentalist. He is a – œmentalist’ on the skins though.

After Papa vs. Pretty, the crowd was in desperate need of a breather, and they got it, with The Temper Trap taking a considerable time to get started. Suddenly the curtains parted for the third and final time of the evening and out came the four fashionable Melbournites serenading a crowd that had so eagerly awaited their brand of anthemic indie rock. Playing songs from their debut EP and some tantalisers from their upcoming LP, they filled the room with their guitar driven, mesmeric sound.

This mesmerising sound was further propagated by the band’s presence on stage. With smoke engulfing the stage, and blinding white backlights, the band stand as a line, their silhouettes a powerful addition to their performance. Lead singer Doughy Temper’s yearning vocals are spine-tingling throughout the set, with songs like the screechy Sirens and distinctively Brit-indie sounding Sunday Painters. But it’s as the familiar delayed riff of Sweet Disposition kicks in that the crowd goes berserk. Doughy shouts, “If you guys know this song…” and the whole crowd set off on a gentle sway. The frontman fist-pumps the air as Moby-look-alike and keyboardist Lorenzo gets in on the action, saluting the crowd with similar aplomb.

The Temper Trap is a fantastic live band, able to reproduce such highly produced soarers as Sweet Disposition. They’re also adept at bringing warmth and improvisation to their more stripped-back songs. With their last song for the night, Science of Fear, the crowd cheered and yearned for more. If you haven’t caught these guys live yet, it’s high time you get onto it. What a night of Aussie music…