When you go to a lot of gigs, you learn to accept that some are going to be better than others. In fact, you’re lucky if you average a couple of really great ones a year. Most of the time, it’s just a pleasant night out; a nice opportunity to see a band strut their stuff on stage. But very occasionally you go to a gig that is so good you think your heart’s going to explode with joy. This was my evening with The Guild League at Northcote Social Club.

I should preface this review by saying The Guild League is one of my favourite bands of all time. Fronted by The Lucksmiths’ lead singer Tali White, The Guild League has been making beautiful, poetic, lyrical indie-soul-folk since 2001, and their latest six piece line-up is their best yet. Their music is like a cup of hot chocolate on a rainy night, and watching them play live is always an absolute delight. But this gig was always going to be something special; the band promised to unveil a heap of new songs as well as take song requests via their MySpace page. The plug obviously paid off and the band was welcomed by a large, appreciative crowd.

The evening kicked off with some great supports from Fred Astereo and Perth band The Bank Holidays. The Bank Holidays’ blend of cute, melodic pop and Belle and Sebastian-esque rhythms provided a perfect precursor to the main attraction. This Perth band certainly made an impact on the crowd and is sure to be warmly welcomed back from the West next time they visit.

The Guild League kicked things off for the evening with the divine Animals, the first track from their second CD Inner North. Interjected by little stories and anecdotes from Tali White, the League proceeded to churn out song after glorious song of perfect pop brilliance. Some of the new, never-heard-before numbers were absolute stunners, particularly the poignant homage to Melbourne’s public transport system in Limited Express, a song so good I found myself in tears by the final chorus. Some of the MySpace requests were for songs The Guild League rarely play, and numbers like A Maze in Greys and Scientists went down a treat with the enthusiastic crowd. A particular highlight was the band’s poetic ode to the warmer months, Citronella – a number that had the less-rhythmically-inclined members of the crowd clapping along to the chorus in perfect precision (this reviewer’s attempts at keeping in time were futile).

Music this beautiful only gets produced when the people making it love what they do and love working with each other. The band members’ rapport is evident in their playful interactions with one another, and each member is given their opportunity to shine. Roger Clark’s trumpet on Balham Rise was so perfect it sent tingles down the spine, and so did his little duet with sax man Gus Rigby on the feel-good Siamese Couplets. Cressida Griffiths managed to make her cello sound melancholy and optimistic at the same time, and Phil Collings’ rhythms complimented each song perfectly. Gerry Eeman’s guitar playing was pure magic, particularly on some of the newer numbers. These guys are true pros and an absolute joy to watch.

If you haven’t already, make sure you get to the next Guild League gig so you can see what I’m talking about, or even take a trip down to Polyester Records in Brunswick Street to buy one of their CDs. The League’s record company, celebrated Melbourne label Candle Records, is shutting up shop in early 2007. I certainly hope this event doesn’t see the demise of one of the finest bands in this city.

Go boldly into 2007 with a little quote from a new Guild League song:

“Everything that is around you
has the power to just astound you
not where you’ve been or where you’re bound to
but where you are right now.”