Check out the pics from the show right here on FL.
Well it’s the middle of the Labour Day long weekend, Saturday Part II in other words, and what better way to keep the party goin then taking in the mighty Okkervil River at The Zoo. Apologies to the Middle East for missing their set but one punter afterwards when asked described it as “ethereal”.
In respect to the headliners, having played intimate venues such as the Troubadour before more recent shows at The Zoo and Laneway Festival, it’s inspiring to see The Zoo sell out for a band with such an amazing back catalogue of incredibly diverse and much celebrated albums, the latest The Stand Ins further building on the acclaim bestowed upon it’s predecessor The Stage Names.
The red curtains of the Zoo’s hue lightens as Okkervil River hit the stage to rapturous applause complete with new member Lauren Gurgiolo. The band eschews the more common opening belter for the blackly comic ode to extras everywhere, The Plus Ones, eight chinese brothers collectively shooting up nine miles high. Singer Songwriter is next, quickening the beat as the caustic denouncement of soulless hipsters wraps it’s bar-room twang around us. Following this is A Hand to Take Hold of the Scene which comes off like Robert Smith fronting The Band with Burt Bacharach handling the horn section. Meanwhile Sheff’s energy is ever-changing, his overt emotiveness informing every wild jerk, drum riser stand or carefully delivered line.
Early highlight A Girl in Port is next, an achingly beautiful salute to lost road relationships as related by a bar band playing from a deserted theatre on the ghost ship for the Damned. The brilliant Replacements meets Brendan Benson chugg of Pop Lie is next, drummer Travis Nelsen coming off like the Energizer bunny version of Dirty Harry villain Scorpio it’s ok to like. Gorgeous Black Sheep Boy track A Stone follows before the ultimate nautical tribute to the Beach Boys’ Sloop John B that is John Allyn Smith Sails, sating those who missed it’s omission from last year’s Laneway set. Fists of adulation punch the air across the floor happy to be part of the worst trip Will’s ever been.
One look around the room now and it’s evident this crowd is electric, embracing this much-loved Austin, Texas six-piece. A clap-led intro to Our Life Is Not a Movie or Maybe is also included and also an almost early Sonic Youth version of the beautiful Black Sheep Boy segues into the first bars of For Real, another highlight. The band delivers an incendiary version of this Black Sheep Boy classic, each crunching riff ripping rotator cuffs as the Zoo is momentarily transformed into an air guitar competition.
And there’s no letting up. The sublime Lost Coastlines from the recent Stand Ins shimmies it’s way into the room, Sheff’s spellbinding vocal range stretched to it’s warbled limit as spontaneous clap-a-longs bring in the end “la la la’s” to bobbing heads across the packed floor. Then The Zoo experiences an irresistible surge of energy with )_Unless It Kicks_. An obvious crowd favourite and live staple, Travis Nelsen works his kit over badly as one of the more exultant rock-outs this reviewer has seen leaves the crowd baying for more.
With the encore break done, Stand Ins highlight Blue Tulip is brought forth, all waves of euphoric organ and crunchy Young-esque guitar wailing doffing, as the lyrics intimate, “hats to distant hopes everywhere ”. Then a big surprise with the stunning Westfall from first album, Don’t Fall in Love with Everyone You See, a mandolin-led ballad where “hiding when the rain rolls in” seems a fine way to bemoan the chilling fact”she aint comin back again”, extraordinary.
A band such as Okkervil River, in possession of chemistry, songwriting and lyrical depth, and the ability to rock and haunt in equal measures, deserves the plaudits increasingly cast in their direction. But one feels they’ll always be on the outer, giving glimpses of pain but always responding to the feeling of never being totally understood.
An amazingly life-affirming set from a world-class band nearing, if not already at, the peak of their powers.
