Shout Out Louds, Owl Eyes @East Brunswick Club, Melbourne(03/01/2011)

Sun 9th Jan, 2011 in Gig Reviews

A sold-out East Brunswick Club greeted indie popsters Shout Out Louds for their first Melbourne gig in three years, and boy, was it worth the wait. The Swedes put on a master class of sparkling guitar pop that left their fans grinning from ear to ear.

It was an all-but flawless performance that should have ve taught the support act, Owl Eyes, a thing or two about engaging an audience, because unfortunately the Melbourne singer-songwriter failed to do so during her 40-minute slot.

Owl Eyes is the alias of 2008 Australian Idol graduate Brooke Addamo, and, while her breezy pop is catchy enough and she is quite fetching, her performance was drab and won’t live too long in the memory of those who witnessed it. Addamo and her four-piece band competently performed songs from her current EP, Faces, but the tunes drifted across the crowd without leaving an imprint. One doesn’t expect every performer to leave prickles on the back of your neck, but a little passion never goes astray. Still, while her music and performance lacked punch, Addamo is only young and has plenty of time to grow into a more assured performer. She certainly has the look.

As the Shout Out Louds came onto stage one by one, each member appeared excited to be playing to a packed, if somewhat steamy, East Brunswick Club.Early on the hirsute lead singer Adam Olenius mentioned this was their first sold-out show in Melbourne, a city where the band apparently wrote a number of songs for their most recent album, Work.

A throbbing bassline from Ted Malmros, swift Eric Edman drums and punctuating keys from the gorgeous keyboardist, Bebban Stenborg provided the foundation for the frenetic opener, 1999. The songg, which also opens their new album, was powerfully performed, offering a portent of the quality that was destined to come.

Second up was a tune that would have introduced many in the audience to the Swedes; Tonight I’m Going to Leave It, off their first album Howl Howl Gaff Gaff. During their rendition of this inescapably infectious song, the cowbell-toting Olenius endeared himself to the audience even further by jumping into the crowd to sing the chorus. It is a song that epitomises their style; while it is lyrically melancholy, the sound was so melodious and uplifting that punters couldn’t help but smile and dance. From there, the crowd was in the palm of Olenius’ hands; each song’s conclusion triggering a rapturous response.

The breezy groove and fabulously joyous chorus of South America segued seamlessly into two songs from Work, the restrained Paper Moon and the driving rhythm of Fall Hard.

Another recent song, Throwing Stones continued to build the Swedes’ momentum and was performed with characteristic synchronicity and skill. Each song seemed to feature some form of improvisation, from extended introductions to mid-song breakdowns, giving fans refreshed versions of album tracks that sounded spectacular live.

The floor was transformed into sea of flailing limbs, swinging hips and bopping heads during the especially upbeat brace of songs, Very Loud and Please Please Please, both off their first album and clear fan favourites.

The Shout Out Louds returned for a two-song encore comprised of two more recent songs: the deliciously catchy Impossible and their current anthemic single, Walls.

It was a brilliant encore that rounded off a stunning show. While we are only a handful of days into 2011, any band that performs in Melbourne this year is going to be hard pressed to put on an equally accomplished and effervescent show.

Check out photos from the gig here