Augie March @ Fly By Night(20/08/09)

Mon 24th Aug, 2009 in Gig Reviews

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Leaving a show feeling cheated must be common for Augie March fans. Peppered with contradictory emotions of frustration and endearment the struggle to maintain an audience’s attention after continual set back and tantrum is onerous occurring quite a few more times than the 8 disastrous shows the band cares to admit.

One can speculate on whether they were ready to leave it all behind when Moo, You Bloody Choir made a break through with One Crowded Hour. Speculation aside, the proof is in the pudding.

Performing at Fremantle’s Fly By Night and supported by one half of The Drones the evening was a promising match of song writing craft and blues infused rock pop ballads.

Augie March’s appearance on stage was held off by house music that cut out having the audience prematurely elating.

It was a mess of sound as they rattled into their first two tracks as Glenn Richards was visibly and audibly aggravated by the lighting, the sound and his buzzing fold back amp.

The gathered, there to do their bit to bid the cast of musicians a fond farewell, were breathless.

It wasn’t until an apology for hitting the microphone was issued from Richards that the crowd could feel a bit more at ease but it was evident around the room that they were questioning their money spent.

Pennywhistle almost broke the mood, its lilting pop melody one of the most recognisable in Australian music.

Playing a range of tracks from their 4 albums across 13 years the set list allowed an expression of history, memories and better times. Drummer Dave Williams offered his support, cracking jokes, reminiscing but keeping the band and Richards in check.

The Keepa, The Cold Acre and Sunstroke House claimed back the wandering minds and The Vineyard from Strange Bird was a nice inclusion with brass players even if Richards did lose track of his lyrics.

A highlight of the set was There Is No Such Place, so honest and tempered, followed by One Crowded Hour before the band retreated to their backstage beverages.

With more noise than they had turned on all night the audience called upon Augie March to return to stage for a three song encore with This Train Will Be Taking No Passengers in second position providing great harmonies to enrich the sound.

Alas the memories to be taken away were not to be tinted with a positive glow as the last song had to be restarted part way through due to Richards’ dissatisfaction.

With an indefinite break for the band fans can look forward to Glenn Richards the writer and poet and his band mates finding musical satisfaction in projects less arduous.

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