See the carnivale here

The Soco Carnivale Parade rolled into the Brisbane Powerhouse with no less fanfare than expected. You know it’s no ordinary gig when you are given a selection of masks, flashing light bracelets and feathered headdresses to wear upon entry. We were promised a fancy dress party and that’s what we got. While the headdresses tend to obscure the line of sight and threaten to take the eye out of anyone standing behind, there is something about them that makes everyone go a little bit silly. The only major detractor of the night is the blatant advertising of a certain whiskey brand plastered all over the stage, on the fancy dress paraphernalia and even mentioned by the bands themselves; but really, props to them for bringing The Polyphonic Spree’s eighteen-piece extravaganza, with all the bells and whistles, to the masses Down Under.

First up is the New Orleans Bingo! Show, who put on one of the most bizarre performances this reviewer has ever seen. Their set is something of a mix between a cabaret, a jazz band and a warped carnival. Musical highlights include intriguing theramin solos, sultry saxophone and percussion on pots and pans. Other highlights (if you can even call it that) are actors sitting around a table polishing a tambourine and drinking whiskey, a mime playing violin on his tie with a cane and a scantily dressed female cabaret dancer walking around with a megaphone. Their jazzy cabaret music is enjoyable to listen to but, sorry, the over-the-top acting is too much and makes the whole performance seem like a cheap dinner show.

The lights are dimmed and the stage is set for the main attraction. For the first few moments all we see is shadows of The Polyphonic Spree through a white curtain. As the curtain is dropped, a cheer rises as frontman Tim DeLaughter and accompanying choir and symphonic band break into Tragiverse, a song by DeLaughter’s former band Tripping Daisy, followed by Hold Me Now from the Spree’s Together We’re Heavy album. The band waste no time going straight into the well-known Light And Day/Follow The Sun with the whole room singing along. Another crowd favourite, Running Away, shows off the fabulous horns section while a cover of The Rolling Stones’ She’s A Rainbow offers brilliant keyboard solos.

By far the highlight of the night is the epic When The Fool Becomes A King. In the moving climax of the song, DeLaughter places an imaginary crown on his head, which is followed by a musical and choral fanfare segueing fittingly into Diamonds/Mild Devotion To Majesty. The Polyphonic Spree end their set with The Fragile Army closer, The Championship. Each member of the band is saluted off one by one, leaving DeLaughter and the crowd singing the line ‘Somehow we will keep it alive’ on repeat. DeLaughter encourages the crowd to keep singing as he too goes offstage. The group return for their encore dressed in the familiar white robes. They treat us with Soldier Girl, along with a string of covers, including a joyous rendition of Nirvana’s Lithium – suddenly the lyrics take on a completely new meaning – Thunderclap Newman’s Something In The Air and Neil Diamond’s Sweet Caroline.

Overall, the free fancy dress attire and intermittent confetti and balloon showers make for an entertaining spectacle of a night. However, I find tonight’s extravagant performance to be a fraction short of the ‘religious experience’ that is often described. Perhaps it is a case of expectations exceeding this reviewer, or maybe it’s the questionable alcohol advertising. Nevertheless, The Polyphonic Spree put on one hell of a live experience and tonight’s show is certain to be talked about for months, maybe years to come.