The Lucksmiths said their final goodbye to an appreciative Canberra crowd at Tilley’s on a drizzling Saturday night.
Before the evening’s headliners rose to the stage it was the turn of Sydney singer-songwriter Darren Hanlon. Performing a witty set of folk, Hanlon was able to submerge the audience in clever and captivating storytelling.
The lyrical content of his performance carried the music, and challenged the notion that ‘bacon’ and ‘breaking’ do not rhyme. It was an endearing warm-up set by an artist who is more than capable of filling a venue like Tilley’s on his own merit.
After sixteen years the Lucksmiths have crafted a loyal following around Australia, and with several sold-out shows already, it was Canberra’s turn to show their gratitude as they entered the crowded Tilley’s stage.
Launching into a retrospective mix of music, the Lucksmiths presented the audience with their familiar brand of Indie/Pop. Whilst they performed a wide range of their previous ‘classics’ the set felt as though it were slow to get going, with songs sounding increasingly repetitive.
At times the pensive facial expressions of Tali White (lead singer) and Marty Donald (guitarist and backing singer) could have been misconstrued as lack of interest. Tali White’s drum-kit set up in front of him, occasionally felt like an unintended barrier between the audience and musician.
However, ballads such as ‘Transpontine’ from their 2003 CD ‘A Little Distraction’ did begin to show the band’s diversity in sound. Despite the apparent formulaic pop they presented, the band’s affable nature ensured the crowd remained awake. Discussions of ‘wah-wah pedal rollerskates’ and ‘reasons for not being in Rolling Stone’ provided comic interludes between songs.
They finished their lengthy two-and-a half hour set strongly with many of their more popular creations. Songs such as ‘T-Shirt Weather’ and ‘California in Popular Song’ were passionately and joyfully performed. It seemed a shame that the Lucksmiths’ set before this point was not so enthusiastically delivered.
Their loyal Canberra fans did show their appreciation during the Lucksmiths’ encores, as the band bowed out from the Australian music scene.
Tilley’s again proved that it is the leading intimate music venue in Canberra. It seems a terrible loss that their once overflowing music diary is now sparse.
The mood often created in the small and inviting venue has never been replicated at any other Canberra establishment, and credit must go to Tilley’s for still providing a magical venue for Canberran music lovers.
