Metro Theatre, Sydney
Monday July 29, 2013 :
It’s that time of year again… Splendour in the Grass came and conquered, leaving behind a trail of spirited Byron Bay memories, all leading up to a mass of sideshows to reap the musical benefits from, including Californian quartet Cold War Kids. After a solid nine year career and four studio albums, it’s hardly a laborious mission for these folks to send a sold-out Metro into a stir on a weary Monday night.
Embellishing the stage with ‘Mexican Dogs’ followed by a surprising quantity of back catalogue visits including bluesy stomp of ‘Hang Me Up To Dry’, ‘Louder Than Ever’ and ‘Royal Blue’, while sneaking in a minimal amount of new tracks from newest release Dear Miss Lonelyhearts, not to say it was at all displeasing. ‘Miracle Mile’ sent the crowd into a sing-along frenzy, as front-man Nathan Willet’s unfurling, seductive vocal fondled with the senses of a complacent crowd. With ample instrument swaps throughout the night, it seems the band just couldn’t keep still as each member capered across the stage, compelled by the show-stealing shenanigans of bassist Matt Maust as he frolicked about, provoking the front row with playful taunts before mildly giving Willet a kick in the ol’ derriere… funny at first, but by nearing the end of a 75 minute set I fear Maust’s persistent antic’s landed him a ticket to douche town.
In terms of a highlight, I simply haven’t been able to shake the melancholy delight of ‘Hospital Beds’ as 1000+ voices chimed “Put out the fire boys, don’t stop, don’t stop, Put out the fire on us”, bestowing an undeniable prominence to CWK’s effortless ingenuity of creating a genre binding concoction of unpretentious blues and anthemic quality.
Reviewer: Chloe Webb