The Pains of Being Pure AtHeart@Beck's Music Box19/02/2010

Mon 22nd Feb, 2010 in Gig Reviews

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Bachelorette opened the night with her intricate layered pop sounds. As the open air venue was filled with the looped samples that formed pop-inspired soundtracks, there was no doubt that this was an appropriate opening act. Unfortunately, the nature of Bachelorette’s music, and her own obvious shyness, did not lend themselves well to a live setting.

While perfectly styled models were gracing the runways at Bryant Park for New York Fashion Week, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart were fashioning their own stage show here in Perth. As the band came on stage, their New York style was evident from Peggy Wang’s Opening Ceremony wedge boots, to Alex Naidus’s geek chic glasses frames. It never looked contrived, they weren’t stylish because they were in a band, they were stylish because they were New Yorkers.

Opening with an EP track, it was evident that their style was not confined to the fit of their jeans. Each song in the set was performed with polish, grace and ease. Clearly a band comfortable with the stage, their tight live performance allowed them to trust their instincts and enjoy themselves on stage. Moving quickly into This Love is Fucking Right from their self titled album, the song was greeted with more recognition from the growing crowd.

Their lush reverb filled pop music charmed the audience as they played through more album tracks. The already smitten crowd seemed particularly taken by songs Come Saturday and Stay Alive. Keyboardist Wang was the first of the band to express her excitement that there were so many people here to see them on the other side of the world, a sentiment that was echoed throughout the show. It was refreshing to see that the high acclaim of their debut album has not gone to their heads.

Throughout the set The Pains of Being Pure at Heart maintained a consistency that is hard to come by, especially for a band still early in their career. It’s difficult to choose a highlight when all the songs are performed with the same level of conviction, and this was certainly one of the band’s strengths.

Despite only having released one album, the five New Yorkers returned for a three song encore including the early single Everything With You. A late highlight, Everything With You soared along with the band’s already convincing performances peaking during the guitar and drums solo mid song. The Pains of Being Pure at Heart’s bashful enthusiasm was more than endearing, and there was not a face left without a smile as they finally closed with album closer, Gentle Sons.

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