Symphony of Angels @ FestivalCentre, Adelaide (17/04/10)

Mon 19th Apr, 2010 in Gig Reviews

What to expect from a show that puts straight laced classical musicians with one of Australia’s best-loved pub rock band The Angels.

The crowds gathering were good mixes of the bourbon drinking rockers and a nice mix of elegance with a suit or two. All had the same question in mind, “What will it sound like?”

At 8:00pm sharp the doors closed and the Symphony took seat and started with a nice classical piece before a traditional Angels start with the Brewster boys, Rick* and John, standing straight awaiting the entrance of Doc Neeson.

When Doc appeared on stage the crowd of 800 odd strong warmly welcomed the band and then got straight into it with a good rocker in After the Rain.

The sound that came out was a similar sound to that of a pub venue with a much bolder and fuller feel with the 50 piece orchestra behind the band complementing their own sound.

The Angels used the orchestra really well with the violin intro to the very operatic version of Fashion and Fame, which for me, really worked a treat.

Doc was up to his usual self moving around the stage and using many hand and facial expressions to give himself a very good stage presence.

The crowd was very subdued as one would expect from a night at the opera, with many punters sitting in their seat and applauding at the end of each song. It took until the last song of the set Take a Long Line for the crowd to take to their feet and show their appreciation with one gentleman mimicking Doc’s use of the towel during the song with his own version with a walking cane.

After the interval, yes an interval, in which Doc suggested we should fill up on champagne, we were treated to a more acoustic sound with Rick Brewster taking up the piano and Doc donning a guitar to play the ballad Love Takes Care.

After a few more ballads it was time for Rick to get away from the piano and plug the guitar back in for No Exit to pump it back up.

A few more classic rockers followed to finish the set out with )Shadow Boxer) which finally got the people on their feet to enjoy the rest of the show with )Marseille) taking it out for the break before the encore.

With the band back on stage they knew they had the ultimate closer up their sleeve which they built up by announcing they wish to play a piece written by the Brewster boys Great Grandfather who was a classical musician. They started out playing a piece before kicking into Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again? to finish off a nice night of entertainment.

The show was not how I imagined it would turn out but then again I really did not have any preconceived ideas. Overall I enjoyed the show but if you forked out the $100 I think for two hours with an interval you may feel a little short changed but I guess a 50 piece orchestra doesn’t come cheap.

Well one question still remains for the Festival Theatre with The Angels, Are they ever Gonna See Their Face Again? One thinks “No way, get fucked, fuck off…”