Henry Wagons, Magic SilverWhite, Matt Banham @ NorthcoteSocial Club, Melbourne(01/11/2010)

Sun 7th Nov, 2010 in Gig Reviews

After 2 months touring the US and UK, Cup Eve saw Henry Wagons (and a few of his band mates) returned to the Northcote Social Club for a sold out show.

After a cracking set from Matt Banham, Magic Silver White took the stage. This Melbourne five piece have had a fair bit of hype surrounding them lately and it’s not hard to see why. They glided their way through a dreamy set, exhibiting 3-piece harmonies and a variety of unusual instruments, including one of the vocalists playing a saw with a violin bow. Highlights included Heartbreak and 3RRR favourite, Knew That I Loved You.

Sporting a magnificent cow hide vest, Wagons took the stage next. “Good evening everyone,” he greets us. Opening with Drive All Night Til Dawn, Henry’s full of gusto and looks almost exultant tonight. He struts around, singing intermittently between the four microphones set up along the stage. He looks extremely happy to be back performing in his hometown. Smiling widely before telling us, “I love you guys. I hope you love me. This is a song that orders you to do so.” Predictably, Love Me Like I Love You follows.

Mr. Wagons has garnered himself quite a following of dedicated fans in Melbourne. Ladies love him (visibly swooning in some cases) and men want to be him. Literally. More than one a Henry lookalike is spotted in the crowd, headband and all.

Throughout the performance we are treated to a few tales from his time away. Most of note was his partying hard with Justin Townes Earle (who Henry supported on his Australian tour). Three days later, Earle was in rehab and had to cancel his North American tour dates.

Henry tells us he is jetlagged, but by his energy levels, you’d never know. He’s full of vigour and seems even more animated than usual; hitting cymbals with his guitar while he’s playing. His banter with the crowd tonight however, is edgy. He’s still witty but tonight he’s sharp too; snapping back at drunken comments yelled out in the middle of his stories. If this is what jetlag does to Henry, he should travel more often.

Si the Philanthropist and his washboard join Henry on stage for I’ll Be Home Before Evening. We also hear a few tracks off the new album (which is to be recorded soon) including I Blew It.

Goodtown and Willie Nelson close the set, but the boisterous crowd chants for more. Wagons returns to the stage solo and performs Curse of Lightning. The band rejoins him and the haunting Man Sold is next.

The night ends with Jail, It’s Hell. Henry is unpredictable through the whole song, all over the stage, jumping into the crowd, singing between the microphones and dismantling the drum kit.

An erratic and dynamic performance from a group of men who are fast becoming one of Melbourne’s favourite bands. Now we wait for the new album….

CHECK OUT PHOTOS FROM THE NIGHT HERE