Stereolab @ Billboard,Melbourne (03/02/2009)

Sat 7th Feb, 2009 in Gig Reviews

Stereolab brought their unique alt-pop rock to billboards on a beautiful Tuesday night and put on an enjoyable show that maintained a rather temperate but well measured intensity. Stereolab are touring with the Laneway Festival but this gig gave the group an opportunity to treat their varying fans to a bigger slice of their equally eclectic catalogue.

Before Stereolab took the stage it was The Crayon Field’s turn and they provided ample support with their folktronica. Lead singer Geoff O’Connor possesses a more than adequate voice for the genre and the incorporation of a cello and violin make the band impossible to dislike. A lack of stage presence from any of the band members detracted mildly from their obvious talent, but they are definitely a group with potential.

Stereolab opened with Percolator, a French lounge pop song which although sacrificing the usual high-intensity-opening format bands often use, it allowed the crowd to ease into the set without over committing early. This was followed up with a pop track off their 2008 album Chemical Chords entitled Neon Beanbag which frontwoman Latitia Sadier explained was ‘About Mary, for Mary’, a tribute to Australian born ex-band member Mary Hansen who tragically passed away in 2002.

Whilst Stereolab’s pop songs sound great on record, they do not necessarily translate well live as the retro synthesizers and keyboards they use can weigh in too heavily. Hence when more guitar based tracks were played next with Eye of the Volcano and Mountain it offered superior live sounds and showed a glimpse of things to come later in the set.

After burning through some more alternative and funkier numbers including the popular Ping Pong, the band kicked things up a notch with Lo Boob Oscillator. Utilizing heavy distortion, epic buildups, and a more intense vocal style, comparisons with Velvet Underground and Nico or even Sonic Youth could easily be made and resulted in one of the tracks of the night. This heavier style was continued later on with crowd favourite John Cage Bubblegum that was simply superb live. From this point the band briefly changed style again to one of funkier upbeat tempos combined with melodious harmonies. This included two highlights of the night Cybele’s Reverie and then during the encore Emergency Kisses.

Stereolab refuse to be pigeonholed in one specific genre and although their lighter pop songs may have shown the most commercial success, it is the earlier heavier recordings that translated best live. This was proven with their final song, a shorter version of the mainly instrumental Stomach Worm, another feedback and guitar driven number which made for a dazzling finish to the night.

CHECK OUT THE PIX FROM THE GIG HERE