Snowman, The Temper Trap &Bridezilla @ The Annandale,Sydney (13/01/07)

Tue 16th Jan, 2007 in Gig Reviews

A quintet commonly known as Bridezilla began the festivities for a Saturday night show with an eye-brow raising line-up. They were appropriate and apt openers to say the least. Bridezilla play with a spooky quality about them, a haunting feeling that makes you feel as though you have ventured into a dark alleyway where a stalker ponders and watches your every move, waiting for the perfect moment to pounce. Bridezilla seem to have mastered this tension-spurred simulation, with both the vocalist and violinist drowning out notes to then unsuspectingly turn them into a sharp and abrasive musical attack. This night Bridezilla replaced their serious faces with more light-hearted ones, displayed through constant giggles and ear to ear smiles.

The Temper Trap was served as the boppier dish of the night. A melancholic and almost graceful song began the set which then led to the more infectiously danceable numbers. A comfortable and quietly confident allure was projected by the lads from the start, which allowed their unbridled enthusiasm and variety to shine through. My Sun and Sirens were highlights, but the set in its entirety was a most-handsome one. Watching The Temper Trap is like eating from a mixed bag of candy; there are so many different types of flavours and they’re all just so fucking good.

The mood returned to the gloomier kind when Snowman took to the stage. A wicked lullaby with a teasing tinge broke the silence. Their two radio regulars: Smoke And Mirrors and You Are A Casino were played next, with Snowman seeming slightly held-back and a tad nervous. The set continued and all hesitances perished, being immediately replaced by the usual animation and energy that Snowman are notorious for.

Trumpets, saxophones, tambourines, egg shakers and other percussive instruments were pulled out and violently used before they were thrown down and replaced with another. Beads of sweat engrossed the energetic and exuberant foursome; their full-throttle performance projecting the energy they share into the crowd beneath them, causing the majority to dance uncontrollably.

Despite the heat of the room, Snowman soldiered on and succeeded in being spectacular for those who had come to see them, making one thing clear: this summer, snowman will stand tall.