Midnight Youth @ The Sando,Sydney (22/07/10)

Mon 26th Jul, 2010 in Gig Reviews

It was an eye opening evening at the Sando on Thursday night. Kiwi genre crossers Midnight Youth played a revered set to an intimate audience of about 50; sparking talk of why such a talented five-piece is not headlining sold out arenas Australia-wide. Unfortunately there is no one answer to this riddle just a waiting diamond in the rough.

It wasn’t the best of beginnings with singer Jeremy Redmore’s mic out of action for the first track Cavalry. Redmore, looking quite dapper in his shirt and tie handed his band mates Simon Oscroft, Matt Warman, Nick Campbell and Aidan Bartlett the spotlight momentarily. Another draw back for the band was the limiting stage, Midnight Youth are known for their anthem-like clapalongs and The Sando’s space just didn’t do them justice, it juxtaposed with their big, booming sound.

The single The Letter played out more layered live with it’s fast-paced chord progressions and dramatic drum sequences from Aiden Bartlett. During the track Learning To Fall Bartlett and electric guitarist Oscroft exhibited what could have been seen as an indulgent two-part solo if it wasn’t so strategically planned and full of awesomeness. The band wasn’t even past the intro of Lonely Homes when Redmore stopped them and said “wait, wait fuck that song. This songs called Man In The Box,” before searing into the Alice In Chains cover.

The final song of the night was All On Our Own, the audience sensed there would be no encore as they crept closer held up their drinks and bounced along. Bartlett proved to be quite the showman, flipping his right stick on every second beat. The boys then stepped off the stage and joined us on the floor to reap the positive comments and fruits of their labour.