Birds of Tokyo, Rollerskates,Celladore @ Club Capitol,Perth (16/2/2007)

Sat 17th Feb, 2007 in Gig Reviews

Birds of Tokyo launched their debut album last night at Club Capitol to a capacity crowd eager to join them on a musical journey through Day One.

They were ably supported by veteran Perth five-piece experimental hip-hop outfit Rollerskates, who have been winning WAMi awards, competitions and hearts in Perth since 1999. Rollerskates played a high energy set with a harder rock edge to their usual electronic sound.

Earlier, third-billed Celladore gave a very tight performance and had the audience packed in and ready long before Birds of Tokyo were due to play. Nadine Harmeston’s haunting vocals gradually gave way to some of their heavier songs which, combined with the three-way vocal harmonies and a guest cellist, made for a climactic set.

From the moment Birds of Tokyo band began to play, the crowd was fist-shakingly voice-losingly supportive as the band worked their way through songs from the new album. The audience was responsive, singing along with the band’s growing collection of crowd favourites; Off Kilter, Minor War, and Desperate all going down well.

The gig was the final date of the band’s national this month and vocalist Ian Kenny was exuberant at the microphone, even if the strain of their recent tour had him looking a little fatigued. If they noticed, the crowd didn’t show it, and were left begging for more at the end of the set.

Birds of Tokyo are going to have to look at playing larger venues in future, if their recent sold out shows across the country are any indication. Capitol’s crowd was swollen with new fans fresh from the Big Day Out, where fans were turned away from the overcrowded Essential Stage. Despite being packed into every available space, Friday’s audience were friendly and courteous to their fellow members, with everyone happy just to be there.