Future of the Left @ TheAnnandale Hotel, Sydney(8/12/11)

Mon 12th Dec, 2011 in Gig Reviews

Yes, I’m Leaving had an uncanny musical resemblance to the headliners. A small but eager crowd was highly receptive of the band’s bass-heavy and highly distorted sound. The blasting choruses and bellowed vocals that characterised the set channeled Future of The Left’s sound, with Yes, I’m Leaving imbuing it with their own style.

The following act Dead Farmers played to a significantly larger crowd, but despite this, failed to receive the same reception. The garage-punk group fell short following the previous act, seeming out of place and with an almost muted audience reaction reaffirming this. Dead Farmers were able to pull off impressive vocal harmonies and demonstrated a solid stage presence, but they were unable to shake the impression that they should have been supporting the Vines, rather than Future of the Left.

Since the days of Mclusky, Andy Falkous and Jack Egglestone have been celebrated for their blend of humourous lyrics and a wholly unique sound. Suffice to say, Future of the Left have maintained and taken Mclusky’s legacy to the next level, with nothing confirming this more than the band’s live show. The opening tracks of Arming Eritrea and Chin Music complete with two bass players set the precedent for the bands trademark explosive style that permeated their entire set. Songs from debut album Curses were punctuated by a much heavier sound, with a potent rendition of crowd-favourite Small Bones Small Bodies, along with an ear numbing version of Adeadenemyalwayssmellsgood.

After a particularly intense opening, the band brought out the keyboard which Falkous declared “the worst instrument in the world” before launching into Polymers are Forever, With Apologies to Emily Pankhurst, and I am the Least of Your Problems. Before retiring the instruments brief residency on stage, the band played Curses highlight track Manchasm, complete with a dedicated audience sing-along.

The often comical nature of Future of the Left’s lyrics was equally, if not more so, present in their stage banter. Falkous jokingly introduced a track from their upcoming album, Beneath the Waves an Ocean, with the line “this song is from our new album Screamadelica ”. Towards the end of the show he mused on why he hated Ben Elton, provoking several crowd members in the process whilst demonstrating the same characteristic wit that is present in such a great deal of his lyrical output. New songs from the bands forthcoming record sounded promising with Robocop 4: Fuck Off Robocop and Failed Olympic Bid seeing the band fully embracing their much acclaimed humorous side.

Future of the Left’s previous incarnation is never far from their shows. The band played several mclusky tracks throughout the set with To Hell with Good Intentions and Without MSG I Am Nothing giving many older fans a reassurance that their favourite tracks had not been forgotten, whilst giving punters a taste of the material that prompted Future of the Left’s early success. After announcing “this is our Supergrass cover. We always like to play a Supergrass cover.” Falkous led the band into Lightsabre Cocksucking Blues providing one of the clear highlights of the night. Wrapping up with an extended version of Travels with Myself and Another closer Lapsed Catholics, the band affirmed themselves as a band that needs to be experienced live.

Part-stand up, part-seasoned performers; when it comes to performances Future of the Left are the whole package, and with their third show at the venue, the Annandale has become familiar turf. The conclusion of the set saw Falkous disassemble the drum kit as Jimmy Watkins tried to lead the band through the Pink Panther theme on what remained. Meanwhile, Egglestone taped a beer onto a punters head before entering the crowd screaming. Future of the Left wrapped up their fantastic set with one of the most bizarrely entertaining endings that left a highly amused and equally bewildered audience remarkably satisfied by what they had just witnessed, whether or not they knew exactly what it was.