The Waifs, Jez Mead @ TheTivoli, Brisbane (18/02/09)

Fri 20th Feb, 2009 in Gig Reviews

The Waifs’ latest tour, by request of the fans, saw the band visit a collection of songs from records spanning the last dozen or so years with unparalleled vigour. Playing a set derived entirely from fan requests tonight, The Waifs served up a delicious smorgasbord of musical bites.

There wasn’t much happening on stage when Jez Mead played, apart from his plucking and strumming of the guitar and stomping of his foot on the stomp box. With his fuzzy little beard, he looked more like some kind of golf-capped Amish man than the sea-faring, world-wizened minstrel that he is. If you close your eyes and let his music wash over you, it is easy to believe that there are really 5 Jez’s all playing intricate harmonic and rhythmic overtones on one another. He gets a remarkably full sound for just one guy. Donna Simpson from The Waifs is a big fan, showing this by joining Jez onstage for a bit. His short support set closed with an extended rambling harmonica-driven dirge that was accompanied by his guitar somehow sounding like a didgeridoo.

The Waifs opened with Take It In from their debut eponymous 1996 album. They then continued on with a set that was taken entirely from fan requests. The mournful harmonica intro to Lighthouse, from 2003’s breakthrough record, Up All Night was spinechilling. Going straight into London Still, delivered with perfection by Donna. It seems a fitting song at a time when so many Aussies are returning home in droves from the UK due to the economic downturn. In fact, the song works for any ex-pat who is missing home a little. Hell, I am in Brisbane and it makes me feel a little homesick!

Vikki Simpson stopped the room with her dedication to Betty, who left her home today for a nursing home, and a heartfelt rendition of Bridal Train. Another highlight was Fisherman’s Daughter, followed by a rowdy romp along for Crazy Train. Josh Cunningham doesn’t say much, letting the two girls take the duties of chatting with each other and the audience in between songs, but boy can that guy play guitar.

They finished up their diverse set of folksy-alt-folk, or rocky-folk-alt, depending on how you like to describe it, with a tasty version of How Many Miles before returning for a staggered entry-encore of Spotlight, followed by Lies. All in all, it was a thoroughly enjoyable musical outing, provided by a band that is undeniably talented, hard working, seasoned road-veterans dedicated to crafting great folk music.