Glide @ Annandale Hotel,Sydney, (14/08/2010)

Fri 20th Aug, 2010 in Gig Reviews

Tonight the Annandale played host to a unique reunion. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the formation of band Glide and the songwriting talents of William Arthur. The original members of Glide with guest vocalist Toby Martin of Youth Group banded together to present a collection of Glide songs.

It was 1999 when lead singer William Arthur was found dead from a heroin overdose. Long lauded as a band inexplicably ignored by the mainstream, William Arthur and Glide provided many who knew of them with some amazing memories relived tonight. And for one, a chance never imagined to actually see them.

An unfortunate start to the night for pop rock band Little Lovers provided a few raised eyebrows. A rough performance including song restarts and eventually a broken guitar jack left these slackers with a shortened set. Certainly bad luck you would not wish on any band, though I can see them carrying a spare instrument in future.

Thankfully no such bad luck existed for The Model School. Describable as lo-fi, this is a healthy country infused sound. Songs included many nods to influences with some fun and story telling spread across the set. It’s good to see a performance vary successfully from song to song.

Besides the usual, this performance included what was described as a rare solo harmonica performance. There was however one other unplanned solo performance. Their drummer obviously excited by the cameras, or just his drums… decided the end of the last song was not worth playing and to the glare of his band mates went into a crazy solo. He easily pulled it off with amazing talent, however that is not what I consider a good band mentality.

Glide stepped onto stage in complete silence and lept straight into Bug followed by Thin Faced Man from second album Shrink Wrapped Real Thing. And wow, were they tight! Toby Martin, although taking a few notes to hit his strides was looking like he belonged as they continued with an electric Open Up and Croon and One More Mistake before before a lineup alteration.

The lineup alterations came from the extended lineup on stage, this being both original and replacement bass players. Andy Kelly the second bass player spent most of the set on second guitar until tracks from album three Disappear Here in which case original bass player Marc Lynch would move to second guitar. Both equally adept.

They pushed through What Do i Know and Hole in the Middle with style before another switch and then it was a trip back to 1991 with early song Fade from the Young Blood 3 compilation. When early single Something followed the mature crowd started to push forward and they finally acted like this was a concert.

Tim Scott seemed so comfortable on his guitar as he weaved through songs. You really would think this band had never stopped playing. James Kingshott on drums was completely at home. It was amazing to see such a tight and flowing performance by all involved. A true tribute they should all be proud of.

A few lineup alterations later and we rolled into crowd favourite Why You Asking? before the band went off stage for a well earned rest with the mellow crowd showing plenty of appreciation before the band returned to stage to play Surfaced Euphoric and closing with Water Falls which alerted the crowd to the forthcoming end leaving them no excuse but to dance and make the most of the final moments of a special night.