Thirteen years into an illustrious career and touring Australia as part of the Soundwave Festival, The Weakerthans checked into the Northcote Social Club for one of just two national headline dates. A quick survey might suggest that the Canadian group is far from popular here, but from the outset it was clear they had their fair share of admirers, with dedicated fans grouping in front of the stage early on.

Downhills Home were first up, with their inspiring, highly melodic rock, with the mid-paced, optimistic poetry of songs such as Travelling Light recalling the likes of Augie March. Their Augie influence is obvious, but the excitement generated comes up short. Furthermore, they play rock that indulges in expanded outros, and long, winding solos – and with respect to this tendency, they are indeed talented to an extent – but most of the time I wondered if it were at all necessary to labor on such by-the-book songs. As they never deviating from the template of harmony-assisted piano-rock, if you love one song, you’ll most likely fall in love with Downhills Home. However, if it wears on you quickly, it’s going to be a long set.

Fortunately Jordie Lane had something different in store, beginning with a brooding folk rock lament in When There Once Was A Life To Come. Refreshingly The Publicans Daughter played out as a jaunty narrative, showcasing Lane’s storytelling craft. Lane and his band stay firmly within the genres of folk, country and blues, providing enough variety to maintain a crowd’s attention. He comes across loud, clear and confident, combining well with a band well-assured in their skill. Where Downhills Home bored, Lane impressed, in a set that took the elements we had seen and fused them together for a wholly different result. Lane really has a knack for drawing you in, a truly charismatic performer that has you tuned to his music without fail.

Appearing before an impressive following, The Weakerthans took to the stage. The surprising and auspicious Night Windows claimed the opening of the set, the group from Winnipeg easing into the performance. John K. Samson’s distinct voice immediately shone in the soothing, emotionally charged tones of the opener.

In direct contrast to the reserved beginnings of the set, they stakeed their punk credentials launching into the rockier and far more energetic Tournament Of Hearts, citing a recurring regret: “Why can’t I draw onto what I want to say?” It often verges on that familiar, accessible college rock sound and you so easily imagine being in their hometown in the early 00s when they started out – I Hate Winnipeg in particular aided such a daydream, with the crowd happy to pitch in with vocals. Throughout the set, Samson had a smile permanently fixed upon his face, and The Weakerthans genuinely seemed to be enjoying themselves.

They’re a band of part tempered rock, part mellow acoustic, with all the lyrical genius to tug at your heartstrings and this combination culminated in an overall success as the faithful fans left the Northcote Social Club with a collection of new favorite memories.

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