Civic Theatre, Newcastle
Tuesday July 30, 2013 :
Melbourne lad Vance Joy kicked things off with a short acoustic set, swinging and marching as he gave us songs that were enchanting in their simplicity. The highlight of his time with us was his rendition of ‘Dancing in the Dark’, stripped back to a campfire ballad.
Big Scary followed with a different flavour, but one that raised the vibe of the room to a new level. This is a band to keep an eye on – they defy labels and conventions and that’s the best indication of all. Their female drummer is totally composed and locked in, accompanying the seamless blend of electronic loops and guitars, and their harmonies hit the mark every time. Tom Iansek informed us that more than one amp had caught on fire this evening already, and we got the sense that this was indication of the night to come.
After the traditionally long wait, Bernard Fanning finally graced us with his presence, in every way. He opened with just himself on guitar playing ‘Further Down The Road’, which he told us he had never played to an audience before. Once his band joined him and he ditched his guitar, he seemed a little lost at first, as though he suddenly felt exposed. But he quickly shook off any discomfort and proved that whether he is by himself or leading the charge, the stage is where he is in his element. Bernard didn’t disappoint in showcasing his latest work while balancing it out with fan favourites.
“I’ve never been here (at the Civic) before and it’s fuckin’ beautiful – which makes it less so by saying ‘fuckin’’.” He riffed with the audience several times during the night, warming to us more and more despite the awkwardness of having a fully seated crowd. ‘Thrill Is Gone’ earned him huge cheers, as did ‘Songbird’, which finally got some bold fans out of their chairs. A funny tale of his recent visit to Splendour segued into ‘Departures (Blue Toowong Skies)’, joined with harmonies by the full band that could easily trump Fleet Foxes in its beauty and precision. A spirited cover of George Harrison’s ‘What Is Life’ pumped things to life once again.
Bernard took a seat at the piano for the encore, which didn’t go exactly to plan, as his mind went black in the middle of ‘Watch Over Me’ and he needed a prompt from the audience. Any fumbles were completely redeemed in his closing songs, and everyone was in full spirits as he tied a bow in it with his biggest hit ‘Wish You Well’. As he bid us goodnight, he told us that Newcastle had been “hands-down, the best audience – you laughed at every joke”.
Bernard Fanning possesses the qualities of a timeless man. He has the gift of filling an auditorium with his essence – his slight frame belies the magnitude of his presence and that voice. As a performer, he’s naturally charming and kind-hearted, his only desire being to see you smile and make the place feel like a home.
Reviewer: Kirri Liepins
Photographer: Terry Paull
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