Spiritualized, Silver Apples @HiFi Bar, Melbourne(8/01/2009)

Mon 12th Jan, 2009 in Gig Reviews

The famed pioneering and influential genius that is Simeon from Silver Apples, may not give the immediate impression that behind the array of vintage oscillators and synthesizers up on stage, here is a man who has directly influenced and inspired many artists and genres of the 1970s, as well as underground dance music in the 90s. Bringing with him a version of The Simeon, a synth that he built by himself way back in the late 60s, it’s almost incomprehensible, that the minimalist spaced-out melodies, using a primeval insistent back beat were mainly made in 1968, before technology popularised elecronic music. To emphasise how ahead of his time Simeon was, a camera was set up and projected from behind, so the audience could see exactly how he was manipulating his equipment to create his trademark otherworldly sounds. With a set ranging from old favourites to newer material recorded in the 90s, the breadth of generated sound was never short of impressive. Simeon ended the set aptly with Oscillations, one of the best Silver Apples’ songs, and indeed after having informed the crowd that it was the first song he had ever written, it was a perfect ending for a truly inventive musician.

Not for a long time, has there been quite the amount of hype and expectation surrounding the live reputation of a group as there has been with Spiritualized and its charismatic frontman J.Spaceman. Apparently paring down to a touring seven piece, complete with piano and backing gospel singers, it was difficult what to anticipate, as Spiritualized have played with many variations and line up changes, each sounding different to the next.

As the audience started to hush and the first few bars of Amazing Grace began, any concerns or questions raised were immediately laid to rest. Performing on a darkened stage with the sound turned right up and white spotlighting on the singers and band, it created an atmosphere that shared more than a few similarities to that of a reverent congregation peering up at its sunglass-clad preacher, imparting his knowledge and musical prowess upon all. This set the tone for the entire one hour and forty five minute performance, with the atmosphere and intensity not relenting for a moment, with no gaps or pauses between songs. Fuzzy tripped out epic Shine A Light from the band’s first album and arguably one of their best songs, blended effortlessly into gospel-inspired Soul on Fire, minus the strings, with what could have easily become trite, actually becoming tender and somehow ballsy at the same time.

Considering J.Spaceman almost recently passed away due to pneumonia complications, it is a wonder that his voice is as clear and unwavering as it is, exploring all the lyrical content rich with almost prophetical references to death, dying and the soul. Current album favourite You Lie You Cheat works so much better live, due to the sheer volume of the instruments and howling vocals made for this kind of setting. In fact, it’s the definite truth that all of the songs sound bigger and better live than most of the recorded material, a feat not so easily achieved. Wrapping up the Spiritualized journey and travelling back to 1997 and their most critically acclaimed album, with a double highlight that included the raucous blues-tipped Come Together and the dreamy pop of title track Ladies and Gentleman We Are Floating In Space. The end of the night was signified by a shoegaze Spacemen 3 inspired meandering guitar and an accidental knocked over mic stand. Leaving with a whole roomful of converts, one can safely assume that there will be only more to come at the ATP festival.

CHECK OUT THE PIX FROM THE SHOW HERE