Enmore Theatre, Sydney
Saturday 12 October 2024
Photographer/Reviewer : Jo Forster
Battling inner west traffic on a Saturday night and competing with fellow commuters for parking nearest the Enmore Theatre had me fighting an inner conflict as to whether I would end up turning around and heading back home up the M1 with an empty SD card and a heavy heart. As luck would have it, I snagged a spot not too far away and somehow the parking inspectors missed the fact I was primed and ready to earn a ticket for my efforts. I had just enough time to drag my gear up the street and to the bright lights of The Enmore Theatre – it was like seeing a gig mirage in the distance only this one lived up to its promise of a brilliant night ahead, with Fanning Dempsey National Park up in lights on its art deco sign. Unfortunately, I missed the opening act; a soloist Merpire but by all accounts, she was the perfect support to the musical spectacle I was about to experience.
Fanning Dempsey National Park is the creative collaboration between two long time friends in Paul Dempsey of Something For Kate and Bernard Fanning of Powderfinger. The first time I experienced the duo was watching their covid lockdown cover of ‘Under Pressure’, originally performed by Queen and Bowie. I remember thinking at the time and every time I rewatched it, how incredibly well their voices blend and compliment each other and really hoped there would be more where that came from.
Seems my wish was their command (thanks boys!). This project began with a Dropbox of original compositions shared between the two, aptly named Defenders of the Realm. The temporary name was mentioned at the gig as one they wished they’d kept, illustrated at the time with Paul and Bernard posing with their guitars crossed in a ‘metal superhero’ type fashion. The name that eventually stuck, outrunning even Paul and Oats believe it or not, is Fanning Dempsey National Park. I’m yet to understand where this was borne from but perhaps it refers to writing extremely listenable music as a walk in the park for these two.
The venue was packed to the rafters with fans eager to experience the new project and curiosity at what we would witness. We didn’t have long to wait until the suave duo, complete with matching suits and telecasters took to the stage, greeted by an enthusiastic and inquisitive audience. Backed by a full band with duelling keys, drums, extra guitarist and bass and the stage set lit by a miriad of colourful and everchanging neon lights. The perfect backdrop to debut their first album, Deluge, to Sydney marking their second only live show after a successful opening in Brisbane the night prior.
Released in August, Deluge is far from a mash up of Something for Kate and Powderfinger. The title track, reminiscent of 1980s style syth driven pop made fresh by the ’90s duo and expertly performed by the band, opened the set. Despite being new to many ears, somehow these musical veterans create soundscapes that seem immediately familiar. I don’t know how they do it or whether there’s a tried and tested formula they employ but personally I think it’s a combination of the timbre of their combined and separate voices, coupled with brilliantly crafted lyrics and beautifully written melodies and rhythms. Perhaps it’s also that we are intimately familiar with their voices from the two bands that have endured and are part of the Australian vernacular. The track opens with Gary Neuman–esque synthesisers and almost Bowie style lyrics and vocal style welcoming us into the new world of Fanning Dempsey National Park. A small indulgence in electric guitars is blended seamlessly into the track.
Their second ever show as an act is so well put together as a performance that they may as well have been performing the album for years. A little banter between tracks entertaining us with their obvious camaraderie, the pair let us know they had been crapping themselves but were slowly settling into these performances. The set continued with new and masterfully created tracks and then Bernard announced it was time for some covers. We were treated to crowd pleasing performances of ‘Ramona Was A Waitress’ followed by ‘Wish You Well’ – the two tracks almost like a duelling of the pairs previous success stories, both as uplifting and joyous as the other and complete with crowd singalongs.
The joy only continued with FDNP breaking out into the Tears for Fears classic, ‘Everybody Wants to Rule the World’. Expertly performed in the way that only a fan with music prowess could truly master. ‘Monsters’ and ‘Pick You Up’ swiftly followed, blended in with the newness of the brilliantly performed FDNP tracks.
Unfortunately, I had to leave just before the end and by all accounts missed the encore performance of the track that had first delighted me with the Fanning Dempsey pairing. Devastated I missed the live performance of ‘Under Pressure’ but ever thankful I was able to experience the new material and brilliant performance that I almost missed with thanks to Sydney City parking limitations and my own eternal optimism that I only need to leave in just enough time as if there will be a reserved parking spot waiting for me within a minute’s walking distance of any given venue. Okay, lesson learned, and experience gained – thank you Fanning Dempsey National Park, your show delighted me with a spectacular performance, and introduction to new music combined with the tracks on high rotation for me over the years, with the added bonus of what I should do better next time.
With thanks to Valerie MacIver Public Relations, FDNP are touring nationally with a few shows left:
Thursday 31 October Astor Theatre Perth
Friday 1 November Astor Theatre Perth (Sold Out)
Saturday 9 November The Tivoli Brisbane.
