After a 14 year absence from Australian shores, Silversun Pickups (SSPU) have unshackled the suspense with a show packed to the brim with songs from their seventh, and latest studio album, Tenterhooks, along with a slew of fan favourites and hits from across their large and storied back catalogue.
Making their way back to Hobart for the first time since 2010’s Swoon tour, SSPU brought up-and-coming New Zealand indie rockers, Coast Arcade along for support, and they were the perfect foil for SSPU and a grand way for the evening to open.
A touch of indie, a touch of punk and a decent slice of shoegaze go into making a large part of the Coast Arcade sound, and it is not at all questionable as to why SSPU hand-chose this band to go on tour with them across Australia (although how this may have occurred is probably another great story in itself).
Despite there being a couple of issues with their sound-check beforehand, the band, fronted by singer/guitarist Bella Bavin come out seemingly completely composed, and rock out a set of impressive tunes which the building crowd immediately warm to.
Testament to their popularity was the fact that they had sold out all of their merchandise and music at the very first show of the tour in Perth. I was also hugely impressed by how all of the SSPU members watched from side of stage throughout, with Brian Aubert notably staying the entirety of their set, and obviously thrilling in their performance. It is great to see such support being shown for their support artist.
Coast Arcade Gallery (click images to see full size):
Following on from Coast Arcade, and as the crowd swells to around 650, Silversun Pickups entered the stage to highly-anticipatory, rapturous applause from the crowd. The mood is pensive – after all, it has been a long time between drinks since the band last appeared in Hobart back in 2010 and the Hobart crowd are eagerly awaiting what promises to be a night to remember.
The band start out somewhat darker with the superb opening track from Tenterhooks, the aptly titled New Wave and its’ neighbouring track, the pounding The Wreckage.
It is at this stage that we must make mention of the awesome work of the band’s bassist, Nikki Monninger. Her near, girl-next-door looks belie a musical beast that lies within. Armed with her array of Gibson Thunderbirds, she is a force to be reckoned with as she effortlessly creates the huge, and at times complex rhythms which are so uniquely characteristic in underpinning SSPU’s sound – and it is all done with the most enchanting smile.
Her partner in crime in the rhythm section is relentless drummer, Chris Guanlao, who’s ferocity behind the kit can only be likened to Animal of The Muppets fame, as he furiously makes his way around the skins (and that ever-so tall crash cymbal), joining Monninger in propelling the band forward so that Brian Aubert’s delectably-played guitar lines and Joe Lester’s keyboards layer the icing on the cake that is SSPU’s sound.
That sound is completed with the distinctive vocal of Aubert, whose voice seems to be ageing like a fine wine, getting better over time.
Classic SSPU songs Well Thought Out Twinkles, It Doesn’t Matter Why and Panic Switch follow in quick order much to the crowd’s delight, with the room growing palpably more excitable, revelling in the fact that the band are here to perform a show to remember.
The band move through their set-list with only a couple of major breaks, during which time Brian chats with the crowd – his initial statement tells us how happy the band are to be back in our beautiful city, and promise to keep the city a well-kept secret. He laments the way the world is at the moment, but states “That’s out there, not in here. We’re here to have fun” – and the crowd fully agree with a rousing cheer.
He also notes that the band have been reminded that this very night is the exact 20th anniversary of the release of their classic debut album, Carnavas – a fact that earns Hobart and The Odeon Theatre a genuine sense of pride.
Not to be outdone by this amazingly coincidental anniversary, Brian also informs everybody that it is in fact Nikki Monninger’s birthday. A rousing round of Happy Birthday To You breaks out as the crowd find their voices to wish her well.
The evening continues unabated with more classics including The Royal We, Three Seed, Kissing Families (from their oft-forgotten EP, Pikul) and Circadian Rhythm amongst others.
However, their best is saved for last, a genius move no doubt designed to leave an adoring crowd enthralled and buzzing as they leave the show. Lazy Eye plays and the crowd absolutely erupt as the spine-tingling, goose-bump raising finale to the night plays out.
From the get-go, it was obvious that SSPU were switched on and enjoying every minute of their show time. This was reciprocated by the audience in full, with punters leaving the venue once the show had finished absolutely beaming.
Setlist:
Silversun Pickups Gallery (click images to see full size):
Many thanks go to the band, Destroy All Lines, Morse Code PR and Odeon Theatre, Hobart for access.
All images: ©fullonrockphotography/Andrew Fuller
