Considering what a bro-down the night would become, the choice to program Body Type as the openers could not have been more refreshing. Each member of the band has their own distinct style visually, vocally and musically, making their indie rock tracks excitingly complex. Imagine members of The xx, Sonic Youth and Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head formed a supergroup, anchored by tight post-punk drum fills. No doubt they’ll headline this venue in no time.
Speaking of headlining, it was kind of a strange sight to see Canada’s beloved Japandroids on a raised stage. Sure, their reputation warranted the size of the venue, but having a metal barrier between the audience and the band cut the warmth and intimacy that characterised last year’s sweat-drenched hugfest at the Red Rattler, or their sneaky Botany View Hotel set last week.
In fact, the distinction between this gig and those that came before was palpable – by no means was it messy or regrettable, but it was nowhere near as heart-swellingly emotional. The crowd were not drunkenly embracing, but rough; the sight of one young woman berating a pissed belligerent seemed bizarrely out of place during ‘Continuous Thunder’, a track that normally has people arm-in-arm.
This dynamic changed the normally cheerful rapport of the duo, bringing a note of seriousness one doesn’t expect from Brian King or David Prowse. Tearing up his drum kit as usual, Prowse made stabs at banter, but the Factory’s muddy amps saw his efforts lost in translation.
Having a metal barrier between the audience and the band cut the warmth and intimacy that characterised last year’s sweat-drenched hugfest at the Red Rattler.
Still, they’re two of the best songwriters and performers you’ll ever have the pleasure of seeing. Near To The Wild Heart Of Life has only grown stronger as a live staple since its release, and the classics from their first release have lost none of their punch. The mammoth ‘Arc Of Bar’ (at least, mammoth by Japandroids’ short-fast-loud standards) now strikes as a bar-setting song for the boys; placed square in the middle of their set, it’s a strong indicator of where their sound may head as their music matures.
It’s hard to imagine a Japandroids set that wouldn’t close out with ‘The House That Heaven Built’ – but somehow it seemed that night that we were in outside that house, looking in. Suffused with life and love though the gig was, it inspired nostalgia for the incredible night we shared before, rather than forming new untouchable memories.
Japandroids were reviewed at the Factory Theatre on Friday 14 July.
