Augie March
Toff in Town, Melbourne
Sunday 29th March
Fresh from playing to 80,000 people at the
Sound Relief benefit, Augie March played three nights at the 300 capacity Toff in Town in Melbourne. We saw the last.
For a band as well-travelled as Augie March, one suspects it to have been mighty satisfying to go back to basics for these 'On the Quiet' shows. Having lauded themselves around the country for over a decade now, this acoustic 'On The Quiet' approach for their latest tour must serve as welcome refresher course. As well as being a pleasant diversion from the oft-seen struggles of volume vs. clarity the band can submit themselves to.
Indeed it felt that way watching the show. From a lengthened, country-fied version of 'One Crowded Hour', to a spare 'Sunstroke House' and a Casio beat backed 'Rich Girl', this stripped back approach breathed new life into songs that have been played for the better part of the bands history. Not to mention adding an exploratory vein that bordered on downright fun.
But perhaps the main jewel in this approach was having frontman Glenn Richards vocals soaring loud and clear over the muted (but lively) version of the band. Particularly for fans who have long strained to jot down every word being crammed into place by the famously verbose frontman.
Watch Me Disappear tracks like 'Lupus', 'Farmer's Son' and the chatter-stopping 'The Slant' benefited greatly from this purposeful, paced clarity. (But alas no 'Watch Me Disappear' or 'Dogs Day'). Despite claiming a hangover from the night before (or maybe because of it?) Richards was in high spirits, enjoying the enthusiasm and conversation being offered up by the packed room. Which, as anyone who's followed the band will tell you, is a pleasure all on its own.
(Pics: Tim O'Connor)