Riverstage, Brisbane
Wednesday November 15, 2017 :
Twilight doors at the Riverstage with a 2 hour drive from the Bay meant I was never going to catch the supports to LIVE on their Reunion tour. I waited at the back gate to be ushered from behind the stage to the photographers pit as the last strains from Lifehouse echoed through the botanical gardens to rapturous applause from a principally Gen X crowd enjoying a school nights respite on the town.
The crowd buzzed as the techs struck the stage and set up for the main attraction, from the moment Live launched into epic opener ‘All Over You’ the crowd was theirs. A few subtle sideways glances in the first 3 songs as the lads got their chops in order were audibly unfounded. I doubt a single soul sensed the split second dischord, these guys had been here a thousand times before and it showed.
With a more than generous helping of hits rolling up the hill toward the city skyline, one is reminded how rich a catalogue these gents can call upon, the lion share of which on the evening coming from the sophomore LP Throwing Copper – ‘I Alone’ ‘Selling the Drama’ ‘All Over You’ all featuring in the relatively brief first set along with a smattering of hits from debut Mental Jewellery and post breakthroughs Lakini’s Juice & Secret Samadhi. A sneaky tip to the Johnny Cash, the “Man In Black”, with ‘I Walk The Line’ six songs in wasn’t lost on those with a deeper appreciation of LIVE’s lyrical insights. Lesser known yet personal faves, ‘Pillar of Davidson’ and my highlight, the visceral ‘White, Discussion’, also featured with the latter being the main set’s final offering.
A short break and the band returned (again notably sporting 2 drummers) with smiles all round for one of the meatiest encores I’ve seen. Kicking off with an acoustic tilt at ‘Turn My Head’ chased by ‘Rattlesnake’, ‘Run To The Water’, a moving dedication to fallen comrade Chris Cornell with Audioslave’s ‘I Am The Highway’, set a somber tone for the evening’s final offering, the immortal ‘Lightning Crashes’. The Brisbane crowd was in full voice.
It was all over by 10pm, enough time for the babysitters to get home and cram for the next day’s exam. Memories restored of glory days and fresher still, for wisdom granted by the passage of time. Live’s sentimental singalong makes good therapy for a generation trapped between the overbearing and the overindulged.
Reviewer and Photographer : Quenched
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