Town Hall Steps @ SFX, Sydney(24/07/10)

Wed 28th Jul, 2010 in Gig Reviews

There is a venue in the heart of the city which I personally believe should see more use, SFX above the Shark Bar. On one side of the nightclub-style venue sits a DJ and dance floor, and on the other, divided by a long bar in the middle, is a large stage set-up and plenty of room to get your swerve on. On Saturday night it played host to an all-killer no-filler set from Town Hall Steps.

Braden Evans opened the night and was followed by City Lights Fade then Stick Mike . There was something very likeable about City Lights Fade, at times sounding like early-era Grinspoon with a more melodic edge to it. They only played a short set but it was worth remembering.

This gig served a few purposes for the headliners Town Hall Steps, firstly to celebrate drummer Ryan Lambert’s birthday. It was also a chance for new singer Tyrone Bain to get another live set under his belt. But the purpose which meant most to the band, was saying farewell to fans and friends before leaving our shores for a stint in the United States.

Forcing their new singer to find his voice early, they opened with the epic sounds of European Girl and Chemistry . Tyrone then showed he wasn’t just there for his vocals, picking up a guitar for the next track I Know I Know as the whole band really hit their stride.
The moment you hear the busy drum beat that introduces the following song, it really makes your ears take notice. This reason is what makes the anthemic Holding on one of the most outstanding songs of the night.

Bass player Vaash Chand also showing a deft touch with the timing of his backing vocals during this song, and throughout most of the set. The beautiful but more down tempo Strangers tightened the reins as the set slowed from a gallop to an easy-going canter mid way through. Keeping with that flow, the band moved into acoustic mode playing Trouble Little Girl and Jessie . The Muse-like guitar and keys riff of Anywhere but here then showed the band were going to bring the last part of the set home in a big way. Medicine and the 80s inspired Still Alive rounded out the set and the band briefly exited stage left.

Lambert was then coaxed back to the stage with a rendition of Happy Birthday sung by the crowd and his band mates. He gave a clearly emotional thank you to everyone for supporting the band over the past 6 years, and also to a few dedicated fans that had traveled a long way to be at the farewell show. Town Hall Steps final goodbye was a blistering version of Disco , which brought the set to a rapturous finish.

It’s fair to say Town Hall Steps are not too widely known yet. But as they play these songs it’s so easy to imagine hearing their radio-friendly goodness all over the airwaves. They have the product, you get the feeling it’s now just a matter of the right person being in the room, at the right time for them. Perhaps that will happen when the boys play West Hollywood’s notorious Viper Room to group of industry types next month. We wish them luck.