Pivot @ The Annandale, Sydney(02/04/10)

Tue 6th Apr, 2010 in Gig Reviews

This would be my first taste of Pivot playing live, I had had my doubts about how their sound would translate when delivered live, these doubts were quickly dashed, it was hard to believe it was only three guys on stage delivering so much noise.

Pivot is made up of Dave Miller and brothers Richard and Laurence Pike, they took the stage under a hail of applause from the capacity crowd. It was exciting to see so many ravenous fans. Most stood in muted contemplation, others looked upwards with their eyes wide shut, the sweaty punters in the front row jived and screamed.

The heart of Pivot is the juxtaposition between the organic sounds of guitars and drums and the clinical precision of synthesised beats and squealing keys; their live show delivered this combination with unbridled energy and sublime improvisation. With In The Blood the discordant sounds of off kilter drums and a twanging guitar were accompanied by driving synths. Moments of clarity and rhythm were suddenly shattered by the mayhem of clashing drums and squealing effects.

Like mad professors, they hunched over their instruments in sublime concentration. The cameras mounted on their foreheads, and a touch of smoke machines, added to the sinister ambience. Tracks from the hotly anticipated new album evoked images of a union between David Bowie and New Order.

With only a guitar, drums and a synth/keys/effects section they delivered a powerful sound. No element ever dominated and the sound was perfect for the intimate surrounds of the Annandale. You would certainly lose some of the intricacies in a bigger venue. The guitars were so strung out, the drums so intense and the synth ever so random.

They momentarily stepped off stage, but soon returned to thank their cooing audience. Their experience touring Europe has clearly helped them mature and it showed in how comfortable they are with their unique sounds. They offered a final track, O Soundtrack My Heart, the silky smooth intro filled the venue before the driving guitar lick raised the tempo, it gave way to a crash of drums and heads bobbed in approval.

Check out the photos from the gig