Alexisonfire, Break Even @ TheTivoli, Brisbane (07/10/2010)

Sun 10th Oct, 2010 in Gig Reviews

No stranger to Australian shores, Canadian quintet Alexisonfire filled the The Tivoli to the brim with fervent fans, alternatively explosive and intensely brooding renditions of new and old material delivered with impeccable production.

The band’s last visit as part of the Soundwave festival saw their Brisbane set delivered to thousands under blistering afternoon sun, a stark contrast to the dreary rain-filled night ahead at a sold out but still intimate setting of The Tivoli.

Supports Break Even were unfortunately missed due to inclement weather hindering punctuality, but nearby punters were overheard bemoaning that the set contained “too many Alexisonfire covers” – which, if true, seems an interesting way to pay homage to tonight’s headliner.

Once the band kicked off Young Cardinals, the next dozen or so tracks were steamrolled through in the band’s usual masterful fashion, stopping only momentarily for vocalist George Petit to deliver unmemorable banter about shoes, weather and the like.

Boiled Frogs, Heading For The Sun and Drunks, Lovers, Sinners And Saints follow relentlessly after one another, No Transitory easing the pace only slightly with Dallas Green ’s near-yodelling of the chorus.

We Are The Sound offers the first call to arms – “Raise up your hands, and sing along” – and this reviewer continues to flail limbs through Old Crows knowing the repercussions on neck and back will be worth the fun currently being had.

A shaven and spectacle-less Dallas Green is vocally on form, but a little stylistically off – these days he looks more army jock than alternative geek, none of which matters when the delivery of Rough Hands demands you close your eyes, stand still and be calm for the first time since their band stormed onstage.

Interaction between the members is minimal, fuelling rumours of Green’s side project City And Colour causing interband rifts, but such heresay doesn’t mar crowd, or indeed performer enjoyment throughout the night.

Midnight Regulations is followed by a track that is introduced as the namesake of their new EP, Dog’s Blood – an energetic stomper in the vein of 2006’s Crisis.

You can get an idea of the new track here –

The anthemic Accept Crime has most people chanting “There’s no police between two beating hearts” and pumping fists. This Could Be Anywhere In The World rounds off the set proper, cementing Alexisonfire’s reputation as a live powerhouse, miles ahead of many of their peers in terms of technical proficiency, heartfelt expression and piercingly accurate vocals.

The band, firing on all five cylinders, is off and onstage again for encore within minutes. The Northern boasts a new vocal tag from Green – “I just can’t keep from crying sometimes. And my eyes are filled with tears,” and is enhanced by an eerie green and red lighting wash. Drummer Jordan Hastings and bassist Chris Steele ‘s solid rhythm section come to the fore in this medium pacer.

Accidents incites a final ill-fated attempt at a circle pit – and crowdsurfing on Petit’s part, and closer Happiness By The Kilowatt feels like a warm-down for the dueling vocals between Petit and Green, with the guitar solo possessing a crunchy, synth-like quality.

After hanging around for a fourth offering that doesn’t eventuate, the crowd slowly spills out into the street, soaked with sweat and smelling like a wet rag; spent, happy and unaffected by the continuing rain. Alexisonfire provided one of the most cathartic performances that The Tivoli’s hosted this year.

Check the gallery by Chuck Stuff here