Instruments on the stage before the main gig might make a innocent bystander think theres a small orchestra playing next such is the extent of musical genius of two siblings from Newport. Well most of those instruments are brought out at the time which is just right.
But first things first lets start with with Victor Valdez. Not every day you see a harp on the stage and not every day in this day and age you see a musician who is not on myspace. This just makes the support act more interesting as there is a certain mystery and surprise not knowing what will happen on stage while he is performing. His skills on the harp are just amazing his show entertaining and brings a certain old school feeling to the altar of music where the artist is full of respect for the audience dressed up for the occasion and indeed looks like the happiest person alive when he is on stage performing with a manner of a true old school gentleman. Most of the audience that made it to the support act were quite happy with the performance cheering Victor when ever they could and even joined in as he played the famous classic La Bamba. Great job by Angus and Julia for bringing him on the tour as it always nice to listen and experience different cultures.
After a break that took almost an eternity (i had a coffee during that break and making it it was also close to eternity. One could fall asleep before it was made and when they finally made it it wasn't even hot therefore i don't really recommend coffee at Wollongong's Regent Theatre.- enough about the coffee) Angus Julia their drummer and bassist entered the stage to an enormous cheer of the audience.
I don't know but when Julia entered the stage in that wonderful gown and stared her dancing routines i just went back in time. Now I have a picture in my head that this gig didn't happen on Friday but it took place in some medieval times and when on private lawns (2nd song i think) Julia took her trumpet and started playing she looked like as if shes holding a sword threatening to cut the heads of unbelievers. The threat was scary enough to shut up most of the audience after initial chat about them entering the stage.
Its never a danger for Angus and Julia to oversaturate their music with a certain instrument. They use a lot of them but just a little bit at the right moment witch makes you lust for more and more of those special moments. Of course the acoustic guitar ant the piano are bases for most of the songs but you can also hear a trumpet trombone electric guitar harmonica and more which i cant even name in english.
The concert had 2 themes night and day with the sun and clouds lighted up during the first part then a moon and stars when they played some of their slower more romantic songs. And as even a child will tell you after a night theres always a new day and the sun has to come up. Regent Theatre is a seating venue but in front of the stage theres a lot of room for dancing. So when the sun came up for the second time it was shining so brightly that some of the people on the audience couldn't resist and had to go on to the dance floor. I have to say i was one of them. Unfortunately there was also some fuckers yes i have to say fuckers who went in front of the stage and talked all the way through the rest of the show. How many times do i have to say the more you talk the further away you should be from the stage please spread the word about this law if the person behind you talks less then you you should be behind them that way if you're the loudest person in the room you will be all the way at the back and everyone would be happier.
There was also a few idiots who jumped on the stage during the encore security promptly took care of them which made the rest of the audience so much happier. They will have a story to tell to their friend at school on Monday morning hope remains their friends wont be impressed.
It was a mesmerizing night never the less with the crowd favorites the beast, bella just a boy, paper aeroplane sang together by the band and the audience. I have to say for me one of the highlights was also the song sang with Victor Valdez when Angus plays on Trombone and Julia on a trumpet and Victor on a harp and a song that Julia sent to some guy over the internet. The chemistry was there the use of the different instruments made the show more interesting and a great set of images provided but a great subtle lighting show which was just a complement for the music of Angus and Julia stone. Kevin Rudd should hire Angus and Julia to play in every town and city instead of giving out baby bonuses as I'm sure that was a lot of love making happening in Wollongong after such a beautiful and romantic show.
And something not connected to the gig. Thank you Ireland for voting against the ratification of the EU constitution. It probably wont stop them to unite Europe in socialism but at least it will delay the process.