Abbe May @ Manhattans, Perth(18/09/10)

Tue 21st Sep, 2010 in Gig Reviews

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The shy, innocent looking James Teague took to the stage at the eclectically filled Manhattan’s and began playing as the background music to everyone’s conversations about life, the universe, politics, the Fremantle Dockers, or X-factor. He stood alone on stage with only his guitar and his attention grabbing vocals soon filled the room with soulful reverberations that had people paying attention. The Big Old Bears joined him on stage with bizarrely interesting instruments; a banjo alongside a violin and Teague picking up his ukulele. They transitioned from the deep melodic sounds to relaxed tunes you would play on a Sunday afternoon in summer. When he whipped out his harmonica and created the drumbeat on his guitar whilst playing, he became a one-man band. Teague was an impressive start to the night, with his humble performance of his remarkable music.

Goodnight Tiger, comprised of two chic chicks, Perrin Date and Jill Crisp (reflecting their elfin looks with names that could have come straight out of Lord of the Rings). Having only been an official duo alongside their bassist and drummer for nine months, Goodnight Tiger have an incredible sense of unity and play as though they can predict exactly what the other will do. Date and Crisp shared the vocal duties and constantly switched guitars with one another. Their influences are pretty clear, Blasko and Angus and Julia Stone are highly popular in Australia right now, and Goodnight Tiger have unmistakable raw talent in the same direction. They created an atmosphere that made it seem as if they wanted to connect with everyone listening and include them in their music.

Crisp had a surprise waiting for her as friends brought her a 21st birthday cake and the crowd cheered as she blew out the candles; blushing she stated ‘Hello, best moment of my life happening right now’. They were a fantastic act to watch perform and listening to their indie, folk tunes produced a relaxed, ambient environment.

When Abbe May appeared on stage, the atmosphere of the entire room changed in anticipation of what was to come. It felt as though we were waiting for some mysterious underground rock band. A great night of music turned into an incredible night of music when May and her band began to play. Performing like the female version of Joey Ramone, the sound was cranked up high, the band played pure rock, and the bar took off as though we were in a New York night club hearing a band before the rest of the world got the privilege. Everyone in the room wanted to get closer to the stage, and to become a part of the music she was creating. May spent half the night with her back to the audience as the band focused on the music and spent time chilling together just rocking out as if they were making spontaneous riffs or just seeing where the music was taking them. She effortlessly held everyone’s attention and encompassed exactly what it means to be rock; her presence just screams with it.

Her bluesy penultimate song, Muddy Waters’ I Just Want to Make Love to You. was dedicated to Manhattans. The tension that had been building up on stage exploded and all the tension in the crowd came out in unified dancing. After a false ending May returned to the stage and if the excited atmosphere had been high before, now it went off, an explosive mayhem of rock engulfing everyone in the room whilst the band was completely immersed in their music. It’s safe to say that Abbe May gained another roomful of fans to add to the huge following she has gathered in Perth and the band’s forceful and energetic sound will undoubtedly see them go far.

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