King Tide @ Oxford ArtFactory, Sydney (18/09/09)

Fri 25th Sep, 2009 in Gig Reviews

King Tide continue to improve over their time shared with us. Now with three splendid reggae releases out on the streets, the band flourishes each time they hit the stage. This energetic onslaught of reggae was once again put on view at The Oxford Art Factory tonight.

Kicking the evening off was the King Tide drummer Declan Kelly with a mix of beats and guitar and singing that would have been well received if anyone had bothered to come along. Nursing a cold one, I was talking to an English boxer and his attractive girlfriend, who quizzed me about New York while telling me about their reality television show that was being worked on. That was fine, but Declan had to play to about a dozen uninterested souls.

Fortunately, the crowd did arrive and King Tide had them moving and shaking from the get go. Simply, and I have written this before, they are one of the best live acts in this country. They give you the – œsmiles’ as soon as they start playing.

Tony Hughes, with his recently shorn head, joined the ever-bald Paul on vocals, and they both worked on getting the attendees grooving. The band played quite a few tracks from their new release Roots, Pop, Reggae and of course, they were well received, with much dancing. Rockers Style also got the rude boys and rude girls shaking.

A King Tide gig is not complete without 54-46 (That’s My Number) – a cover of the fabulous Toots Hibbert song. This song is always the crowd pleaser of the night and young, old, hairy, and bald are all up dancing. The band is doing a few shows in November in Sydney at Notes in Newtown on the 7th, The Brass Monkey on the 13th and The Day In The Park festival down Cronulla way on the 14th. Get on out and put a smile on your face.