Bar on the Hill, Newcastle University
Thursday May 30, 2013 :
The anticipation in the air for Something For Kate’s triumphant return was building before the doors had opened. Touting the band’s first album release in six years (Leave Your Soul to Science), the blend of fans was eager for a night that showcased both the stunners of their back catalogue and the standouts of their latest offering.
Courtney Barnett and the Courtney Barnetts kicked off proceedings, wordlessly getting right down to business with their riff-driven, steel-cut whatchamacallit. What they lacked in audience repartee, they completely made up for with raw guts, bitingly witty lyrics and wailing slide guitar. Courtney Barnett’s second EP is due for release in the next few months and would be well worth the investment.
To the sounds of a recorded orchestra and an eerily angelic chorus, Paul Dempsey and co. materialised onstage shortly after and launched straight into ‘Captain’. As they moved swiftly into ‘Hallways’ and prayed “for Friday night to save their lives”, Paul’s towering presence held everyone’s captivated gaze, which he beheld with mutual respect and appreciation as he told the crowd, “You all have beautiful souls”. The nearly two hour long set didn’t so much build as sustain an enthralling level throughout, intermingling standard fare such as the crowd-pleaser ‘Monsters’ with throwbacks to their first album and surprises in the form of the Hunters & Collectors cover ‘When The River Runs Dry’ (recorded by the band for an upcoming tribute release and performed in near-perfect form on this night).
The band bounded back onto the stage for a three-back encore including their Like A Version number ‘Sweet Nothing’. One thing that is notable is the dynamic between Paul and wife/bassist Stephanie – while some fellow musicians defer to each other and wander towards one another to riff mid-song, they seem continuously interlocked and in tune. An occasional nod or a smile is all that’s needed – the music does the talking. As an ensemble, Something For Kate haven’t lost their gift for unlocking earnest words and thoughts you didn’t know you had.
Reviewer: Kirri Liepins
Photographer: Chrissy Kavalieros
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