Reviewed on Saturday May 14
The Metro was already three-quarters full when first supports You Beauty played. I noticed several punters with the band’s most recent T-shirt slung over their shoulders, and a mate told me how they were now his favourite Sydney group. The local following they’ve amassed is impressive and deserving.
Harmony are following The Drones around the country as main support for the Feelin Kinda Free album tour, but were unfortunately plagued by sound issues. The roughness of guitars and lead vocals didn’t blend with the harmonising of the band’s female trio, who also sing backup for The Drones. Although Harmony’s 2014 self-titled LP proves their ability to make the two components work well, the effect of the counterpoint was lost.
After an unusually long intermission the lights were dimmed and Enya’s ‘Orinoco Flow’ sounded. The majority of the crowd had hands raised, chanting “Sail away” until The Drones emerged, armed themselves, and transitioned into their own version, a distorted meltdown of Enya’s track. The first run of songs were from most recent LP Feelin Kinda Free, the audience already well acquainted with ‘Taman Shud’, ‘Private Execution’ and ‘Boredom’. As the set progressed, Gareth Liddiard and co. travelled further back through their catalogue with cuts from 2013’s I See Seaweed and 2008’s Havilah.
Unlike most of the people in attendance, this was my first Drones show, and I hadn’t listened to much of their material before the new album came out in March. However, I knew this band was important – that some call them Australia’s best live act – and since their 1997 beginnings, they haven’t stopped making music in a way perfect for them and no-one else. I apologise to The Drones for taking this long to come aboard, but also wholeheartedly thank them not just for persevering, but for making Australian pub rock so painfully loud, psychedelic and like no-one else.
It seems for many in their audiences today, it is a moment of pride to witness a band they already knew was exceptional, and to reaffirm the faith that came after seeing The Drones over a decade ago with 20 other people in a Fitzroy pub.
