The Mission in Motion,Valencia @ Amplifier, Perth(21/11/10)

Sat 27th Nov, 2010 in Gig Reviews

Check out the photos from the Leederville HQ and Amplifier gigs

A gig is not the first place you think to go on a sticky, humid Sunday night but as USA’s Valencia and Sydney sensation The Mission in Motion hit Amplifier, it was the place to be and with bands like these, the heat was only turned up.

Fresh faced Perth pop-punk band Know Your Knot brought energy and enthusiasm to the stage first off. Though the crowd was nothing more than a mere trickle of people coming through the doors and the moment you went into the band room sweat was forming on every orifice of your body, they played like there wasn’t a care in the world. Musically the band was tight but there is nothing worse than a new band playing an ‘original’ song when you can sing along to Blink’s I Guess This is Growing Up at the same time.

Chasing the Ninth were on next and as the air con kicked in, so did the atmosphere. Mike Carrivick’s screams were on perfect form, loud enough without having a strained aftermath when he switched straight back into a harmonious melody. The rock riffs were tight and catchy melodies brought on a wave of genre boundary pushing, good enough for any muso looking for something different. Local fans were lucky enough to hear a new song from the band and from the crowd’s cheering reactions it didn’t fail to disappoint.

There was a change in the set as The Mission in Motion took the stage before Valencia. With a humorous introduction from Valencia’s drummer Daniel Pawlovich who lay on the floor saying he is too tired to play from all the travelling. Opening song The Hand That Holds You Down set a new level for the enthusiasm for the night. Brett Islaub’s vocals were soaring and song after song they pulled out punchy, energetic music that could even make a solemn person’s foot tap along. Rohan Welsh shredded the stage with his bass during A Curse, A Calling. New Skin literally brought squeals from the girls in the audience, dancing, singing and claps from hands which only intensified as Islaub brought it to the next level by jumping into the crowd to finish the song on the floor with fans.

There was a huge amount of appreciation and gratification from the band for Perth punters coming out on a lazy Sunday night to show their support. As the band played We Take This to the Night the sweat was dripping off them and flying through the air with the guitar moves. It didn’t stop Mission from playing as loud as possible until you could feel the vibrations through the Amplifier floor. They put everything into the last song and played one quality show.

The relentless touring schedule had left the bands on their last limbs but you couldn’t tell it from the moment Valencia hit the stage. Holiday was their opening song and these guys play with a haunting, yet mesmerising attraction. You couldn’t look away even if you wanted to and the crowd practically erupted in a dancing and jumping explosion. With their new CD hitting our shelves on Thursday the title track Dancing With a Ghost went off without a hitch. It proved the new songs are better and more mature than what we’ve heard previously from Valencia and kept the audience pumped.

Next up was a crowd favourite and highlight of the set, The Good Life. It’s one of those songs that takes you on a complete rollercoaster of emotions. From the intensity and beauty of the lyrics to the dynamic chords and vibrant performance, it was a serious show-stopper and a song that needs to be on your summer playlist. One of the greatest things any die-hard fan want to hear apart from their favourite songs, is some crowd interaction from the band. Singer Shane Henderson had the crowd repeat sections of songs and ensured everyone was enjoying the show. Where Did You Go? was a much poppier tune which bounced off the walls and straight into Spinning Out where the crowd received a surprise duet from Mission’s lead singer who burst onto the stage with an amazing harmony complimenting Henderson’s impeccable vocals.

3000 Miles ended the night with a bang and a row of screaming girls at the front dancing (or falling?) all over the place. It was a long, hot night but oh so worth it.

Check out the photos from the Leederville HQ and Amplifier gigs