Matt and Kim, Spod
The Evelyn, Melbourne
Friday 1st May
Spod began his set playing to a full room, not many of which I'd harbor actually owned any of his records. He may not have sold any tonight, but he did finish up his set surrounded by nine or so thrilled stage-invaders (6 girls: cute, 3 guys: leaping), a flashing siren, hugs and a confetti shower for his wide-eyed fawning fans. Another day at the office then.
Brooklyn duo Matt and Kim inspire insane amounts of goodwill from their fans. Before they hit the stage on a chilly Friday night in Melbourne the Evelyn was packed to the rafters. The predominantly teenage front few rows had long ago sandwiched themselves up against the front of the stage, and when the powerfully American band hit the stage the place went nuts. Grinning - as expected - the band launched into a set of mostly older songs played with as much vigor as a single drumkit and a Roland keyboard allow. Which for a band of two, is akin to showering the audience with red cordial laced with methamphetamines.
People went mental. Hands in the air, whiplash inducing, lose your virginity, start a band kind of deal. After opener 'It's a Fact', Matt gushed at the crowd. "This is our first show on the tour. We had no idea what to expect and you guys are awesome!" As he and perpetually grinning partner Kim ploughed through the short set they would reiterate this motif throughout. Eventually Matt went on record as saying "If this is just the first show I dunno how anywhere else is gonna match it!"
The band stuck to mostly older material, confusingly dodging current single 'Lessons Learned', rushing through a scream-inducing 'Daylight' and finishing with 'Silver Tiles'...and then were gone in a haze of euphoria. No encore. For a DIY band who owe their success to a legion of devoted fans, it was confusing to see them barely graze 40 minutes. Spod played longer. Still, a sugar rush will do.
(Pics: Matthew Miller)