Eatons Hill Hotel, Brisbane
Saturday June 11, 2016 :
In the reasonably short time The Rubens have been playing together, they have been enjoying success after success. After taking out the number one spot in the coveted Triple J hottest 100 last year, they have been selling out shows across Australia, even having to add an extra show in Brisbane.
There was a tangible air of anticipation in Brisbane’s The Tivoli on Saturday night as eager punters waited for the brothers from Menangle to take the stage. They did so to an almighty applause. They walked on stage to thumping hip hop beats with a giant digital sign which exclaimed The Rubens with continually changing graphics. Front man Sam Margin was sporting a loud psychedelic shirt and carrying a classic Gibson 335. The band looked as comfortable on stage as any rock and roll veterans I have seen.
Without any chitchat to the crowd, they smashed through track after track of their soulful alternate rock for which they are so well known. When Sam finally did speak to the crowd, he implored that there was no time for banter; they would just play some songs while everyone got fucked up. This was clearly a sentiment that the crowd could get behind.
The highlight tracks of the night were undeniably ‘Hoops’ and ‘My Gun’. Sam barely needed to sing a word as the enthusiastic fans sang along to every moment, filling the venue with a sense of joy and unity. Another standout was the band’s cover of Adele’s track ‘Hello’. This cover was first performed by the group on Triple J’s ever popular, Like a Version.
The Rubens are a band who have already reached soaring heights in their career, and judging by Saturday night’s performance, they are clearly still on the rise. I for one can’t wait to see what they’ll pull out next.
Reviewer : Chris Ward
Photographer : Chrissy Kavalieros
The Rubens – Eatons Hill Hotel Brisbane[/caption]
