I’m reminded of The Shining’s Overlook Hotel as I sit in the stately lounge of The Tivoli leading up to tonight’s show; a mix of ye olde theatre combines spookily with a sense of menace in the air. A diverse, slightly sparse crowd of true connoisseurs are in tonight for truly a legendary double-header. As I sit there hoping to avoid spotting the bloody twins, I spot Jim White wandering aimlessly through the crowd looking like an out-of-work clown, hair strewn behind him as ribs are elbowed in recognition along his wake.

Laughing Clowns open up proceedings with the ripping chug of opener Theme from “Mad Flies, Mad Flies”, the first track from the History of Rock’n’Roll Volume 1 that they are performing in it’s entirety tonight. Ed Kuepper’s seminal post-Saints group gained an international cult status during the early 80’s and it’s easy to see why as wailing jazzy sax mix with the warped Sesame St feel of Every Dog Has It’s Day. Holy Joe’s irresistible floor tom rhythm precedes Ed’s trouble with an incense stick and just behind me an already smashed “larrikin” is lurching around feeling compelled to yell incomprehensible rants at every bit of quite hilarious banter Kuepper indulges in throughout the set.

The keyboard plonks of Sometimes follows and after an equally epic The Laughing Clowns , Ed sardonically tells us to turn over the record and if anyone has any questions they want answered now’s the time. Thankfully the guy behind me went to get another beer so they tear through the rest of History… , all timeless tunes that give one a real sense of Brisbane’s rock history and the underground playfulness that it possessed. Avant garde jazz bursts give way to the drone beginning of closer Collapse Board which comes off like the long-lost cousin of Cortez the Killer. An amazing set from one of this town’s most treasured and influential groups.

(A special intermission shout-out to the lovely Eliza and Sarah whom I befriend and are kind enough to pretend they know me upon my return, so I don’t feel bad squeezing back into my third row position – thanks girls).

Out of the shadows then saunter Dirty Three to rapturous applause. Warren Ellis starts off by paying tribute to the magnificent Clowns and informs us that when they first heard them it helped them believe that rock’n’roll had a future. He then introduces the Three with a sarcastic “we’re the young kids” and we’re off into Sirena, the first song from the classic Ocean Songs, the next album covered in tonight’s Don’t Look Back classic albums event.

The frenetic live genius of Ellis is immediately apparent as are the furious octopus tentacles of White as they flail around discordantly yet never sounding out of place. The Restless Waves follows, possessing an aching beauty that Clint Mansell would kill for, nothing against Clint obviously.

A mesmerising Distant Shores leads into Authentic Celestial Music and Backwards Voyager, the latter dedicated to Chicago’s finest and their fine searching skills. Ellis is on fine form tonight, hilarious monologues filling the gaps between the sweeping epics.

It’s a truly astounding performance, Turner’s consonant chords in perfect sync with Ellis and White’s chaotic playing. I’m brought back to Earth at one point by the warmth of the beer I’ve been holding yet not drinking, too caught up in the the performance to remember to drink. And as the Deep Waters subside into The End of the Earth, the amazed faces around me confirm just how unique and revered Dirty Three are and shall continue to be.

Warren signs off with “We’ll see you in a couple of years”. Yet thanks to the “unforeseen circumstances” that have befallen Echo and the Bunnymen, the years have become days with the Three replacing them at Friday’s Laneway Festival. On the evidence of tonight’s performance, you’d have to be puffin’ muffins to choose Laneway bands any other way.