Sparkadia @ The GovernorHindmarsh, Adelaide (4/0/11)

Thu 8th Sep, 2011 in Gig Reviews

The Trouble With Templeton hit the stage first. The rather silly name sounds more like a movie than a band name, with the brains behind it being one Thomas Calder. Clearly nothing has pissed him off in life as gently sings about life while he gently plucks away on his guitar. It’s a great mix of melancholy and melody.

Next was 5-piece Canadian band Imaginary Cities who, to be honest, didn’t have much to offer. Their take on indie rock is nothing new and they had no stage presence except the lead singer had this weird chicken wing dance going on. A polite clap followed each song from the few people that weren’t outside having a smoke or sitting on the floor talking.

What drew me originally to Sparkadia was Alex Burnett’s voice. He has this hauntingly beautiful voice that is rare these days. And while I love a mosh every once in a while, Sparkadia is the welcome relief from that exhausting exercise… and rubbing up against some sweating dude.

Sparkadia are touring off the back of their brilliant second album The Great Impression. It’s an album that almost didn’t happen due to all of Burnett’s band mates quitting at various times due to personal reasons after completing the gruelling 18 month promotional duties for their debut album, Postcards, from 2008. Sparkadia is now Alex Burnett’s solo project with session musicians for recording and touring purposes. Whatever his relocation to London did to his song writing he should do more of it, because the second album is a major step up from the debut.

The band entered the stage wearing black and more black, and got straight into the new album’s title track. Burnett’s voice is already sending chills down my spine. It doesn’t take long to realise we are all watching something special as the band is in fine form, with the sound mix being absolutely spot on.

Of the 14 track strong set there were many highlights but two moments stood out. One of the biggest reactions was for the track Mary, especially for the mainly female section of the crowd. Burnett, who pranced around the stage like a manic preacher, didn’t need even need to sing the lyrics as the Governor Hindmarsh choir drowned him out. He seemed to enjoy the experience.

But probably the biggest highlight – and will be a personal highlight of the year – was during the song China which I was put in a trance, transporting me – and several hundred others – into an enchanting journey. You could have waved your hand in front of my eyes or cracked a whip next to my ear, not even this would have snapped me out of the beautiful journey I was on.

Setlist:
The Great Impression
Kiss Of Death
Too Much To Do
Talking
Up In The Air
Fingerprints
Animals
Love Less Love
Morning Light
Mary
Ghost
China
Hurt Me
Jealousy