The Getaway Plan @ Fowler'sLive, Adelaide (18/02/11)

Mon 21st Feb, 2011 in Gig Reviews

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In a not so summer inspired evening in terms of the weather, Adelaide proved that although its hot season is barely threatened by dangers of cyclonic proportions, it is still able to throw a curveball of unseasonable miserable and muggy rainfall. Depending on how the individual looks at it though, one could say that the Heavens truly opened up for this long awaited reunion show, or that a certain Melbourne based quartet were hosting the best safe haven from the outside disgraceful conditions at Fowler’s Live. Either way it seemed the Fringe Opening held in the Garden Of UnEarthly Delights was not the best option, as Fowler’s was at full capacity for The Getaway Plan’s first Adelaide show in just under two years.

Fellow Victorians Secrets In Scale opened tonight’s show and in very fine fashion, actually to be quite frank, the best form that this writer has yet witnessed of the trio. Somehow this band manages to outdo each live appearance they make with every show they play. Featuring songs from their free DMT Mixtape as well as some unreleased song from their heavily anticipated debut album Desert Mouth, Secrets In Scale elegantly soared through each song with the prowess of a predatory hawk and combined with the mind-numbing musical ability each member possesses, I sincerely hope that each audience member walked away from the trio’s display with the mindset of “I have to see that band again”. Whilst their Psychedelic Pop Rock is impressive enough, true captive moments were of the Electronica song which brought The Getaway Plan’s own Matthew Wright to the stage for a duet with vocalist/guitarist Dave McGuire, which was then finally capped off by the Secrets In Scale front man with a drum solo justifying his and the band’s incredible musicianship. To the unaware, you have been warned.

Without No Doubt there would probably be no Paramore, with no existence of Paramore there would probably be no Tonight Alive. A bold statement I know, but the similarities are painfully obvious. However, I am not here to deny that this Sydney quintet is talented, they positively are. And if Australia needs an answer to Paramore, well we now have one. Actually Tonight Alive could probably even rival Hey Monday for the title of the “Princess and Princes of Pop-Punk”, if Hayley Williams is the Queen and Gwen Stefani is the Goddess. But comparisons aside, what this five-piece performed onstage was a very solid display of Pop-Punk. With the underage girls in the audience screaming louder than the gorgeous Jenna McDougall could sing, it feels like it is only a matter of time before the band reaches monumental heights in popularity. Featuring songs from their mini-album All Shapes & Disguises, some newer tracks from their upcoming debut album and a sharp cover of the very underrated band Rufio’s In My Eyes, the show was actually over quite quickly. In the end though, Tonight Alive’s live performance is conclusively, very well sequenced, hours of practice must be spent preparing every collaborative stage move, but this is exactly why the quintet will “wow” audiences, especially the teenage age-group worldwide.

On February 25th 2009 a great deal of Australian Alternative Rock fans were saddened by The Getaway Plan’s announcement that they disbanding after an astonishing half a decade together. On this night, nearly two years later, it felt like that day of mourning never actually existed. With an extremely intricate backdrop of a cloudy sky which transformed into a star-filled night, The Getaway Plan marched the familiar steps onto the Fowler’s stage to be greeted by a sea of fans praying for the show to begin. What occurred from here became an extremely professional display of Alternative Rock, with both favourite tracks from the quartet’s successful debut album Other Voices, Other Rooms as well as brand new, never heard before songs from the forthcoming follow up to be recorded later this year. Opening with an aforementioned newer song was certainly a courageous move, but in testament to the four-piece’s respect, instantly silenced the crowd and had them at their full attention. What occurred from here was a captivating performance which eventually felt like the band had never stopped at all. The progression The Getaway Plan have made with the newer songs is crystal clear from their outset, these are ambitious and very elaborate Pop-Rock songs with a disturbingly fascinating intricacy which justifies the quartet’s musical growth an ability since their earlier days. Whilst it was disappointing to not hear any tracks performed from the treasured Hold Conversation EP, it was remarkable to hear songs like Streetlight, Where The City Meets The Sea, Shadows, Red Flag, and Transmission live again. In closing, welcome back The Getaway Plan.