Blackchords, Wellyn and theHoly Sea @ the Gershwin Room,Melbourne (24/04/09)

Fri 1st May, 2009 in Gig Reviews

After literally years of false starts, travel and band member changes, Blackchords were going to put their hearts and souls into the launch for their self titled debut album. Carefully orchestrating the entire night, from the choice of support acts through promotion and merchandise, this was clearly an event the band wanted to make the most of. In the end there was perhaps as much a sense of relief as there was passion and intensity, but the near sell out crowd were more than happy to go along for the ride.

Opening act the Holy Sea kicked off proceedings with their own particular brand of folk and country rock. Despite the late kick off the crowd was still a little thin, and this band didn’t do too much to increase the numbers. Having heard great things about them, I cannot say I was a fan of the Holy Sea, as the seven members never really hit the mark as they attempted to add substance to what could have been nice enough little songs. The end result was a strained and earnest set that wasn’t worth the hype.

Wellyn, on the other hand, are clearly one of the best bands in Melbourne. Instantly more compelling and emotional, they played perhaps the standout set of the night, despite many the inclusion of many songs not on from their album. Wellyn draw the listener in, and indeed the crowd did move toward the stage, leaving the relative comfort of the back of the room in order to pay closer attention, to listen, and to watch a band not yet in their prime but already far beyond their peers.

From the moment it was announced it was clear Blackchords would have to be right on form to follow the likes of Wellyn. I thought it was an ambitious move on their part, and for all intents and purposes it almost came off. The crowd were clearly passionate as they had waited so long for this event, this album, to reach fruition, and the night took on something of a party atmosphere. There was a lot of love in the room, and the band were all the more amped up for it.

Opening the set with At World’s End and closing it with Pretty Little Thing ensured the rock side of Blackchords came to the fore, but there were many layers in between. Stand out tracks such as These Lights, 22 and Broken Bones stood tall alongside their cover of John Lennon’s Working Class Hero. Blackchords have an ability to take their many influences and enhance them, interact with them, and come out the other side with songs that seem instantly familiar yet tend to grow on you. It is a rare thing in this overcrowded industry, and the band should be proud.

Leaving the stage only briefly, Blackchords returned for their encore to deserved applause and brought members of True Live with them to provide the strings on album highlight Sinking Like Stone and Disappear, before departing for the night, humbled and happy. No doubt once the adrenalin wore off the entire band were a little relieved that it had all gone so well, and that a new chapter in the life of the band was now there to be written. And judging by the introduction, there is much more to come from this highly talented and much loved band.

CHECK OUT THE PHOTOS FROM THE GIG HERE