The last night of autumn nips at your fingers and ears, as Sydney's Enmore Theatre hosts Australian rock legends Ball Park Music (30 May).
Salarymen open the evening with a delicious sound that warms your ears.Their final song features a whistle in the bridge, as their frontman sings: "You were in love with someone else," a sad line that doesn't seem as sad atop their brilliant sound.
Bean Magazine come on fast and furious, their frontman strumming vigorously on his white Stratocaster. "Sydney, you feeling it?" he asks, and they certainly are. He pumps his wah pedal, opening his mouth in rhythm. It's a full sound for a three piece.
He gets the crowd to sing "they hit it off so well," and it sounds good, as the band exit as furiously as they came.
Bean Magazine - image © Ilyas Adil
Scott Mckenzie's 'San Francisco' plays over the speakers, as a backdrop of a seaside appears clothed in pink and orange lights.
Ball Park Music's frontman Sam Cromack starts the show alone, a single white beam shining down on him. "Hey Sydney, how we doing?" he asks.
'Like Love' is sentimental and moving, before Cromack moves seamlessly into 'Coast Is Clear'. As notes ring out into the purple haze, the band kick in smooth and strong as if they were always there.
Ball Park Music - image © Ilyas Adil
Cromack dons a Gretsch for 'Coming Down', lines of pink flicking across the stage. The storytelling is sublime and engaging. 'Bad Taste Blues, Pt. III' has beautiful purple and golden lighting that rises into a kaleidoscopic sunrise, as the song builds.
Guitarist Dean Hanson is clearly enjoying himself, swinging back and froth in front of his three Vox amps as he plays the iconic riff.
"This is one of our favourite venues in the country," Cromack shares. "It's an honour to play here. Are you ready to have a great f...ing night?" The crowd agrees.
'All I Want Is You' is a boisterous sing-along as Cromack dons his third guitar already, red this time. He starts a clap along, before the lights drop to black and he screams into the microphone, kicking the crowd into high gear.
Ball Park Music - image © Ilyas Adil
'Stars In My Eyes' features wheels of white light, Cromack's falsetto shining through. He dedicates next song, 'As Far as I Can Tell', to their hardworking management in a nice touch. It builds into a wave, spilling over the crowd.
"Has anyone you loved ever defected and abandoned you to Melbourne?" Cromack asks. "Or maybe Sydney has everything you could ever need."
"Can I use your lighter?" he sings as someone in the crowd lights theirs. Cromack smiles and points his guitar. The sound is thick and full and the walls are shaking.
The band say hi to Hanson's little sister Matilda for 'It's Nice To Be Alive', a track that goes down smooth and sweet. They then take a moment in the darkness for an instrumental before 'Cherub'.
Cromack shares the band will open for Oasis in November, expressing his disbelief that Liam Gallagher likes their song 'Manny', but it's not hard to see why.
'Trippin' The Light Fantastic' has just that, an extraordinary light show that burns into the memory, before 'Spark Up!' rumbles along in green surroundings.
'Fence Sitter' is a briefly paused mass of sound that appears very fun to play, before purple lights burst onto the stage for 'She Only Loves Me When I'm There', Cromack inciting: "Sydney, are you ready to f...ing party?" raising his arms to the sky.
Ball Park Music - image © Ilyas Adil
"This is for all the ones who are going to have sore heads tomorrow. Alcohol is not as bad as everyone says," Cromack jests before 'Struggle Street'.
'Overwhelming Sound' starts the encore with the whole band together at the front of the stage. Daniel Hanson strums his brother's guitar as Dean frets in a heartwarming moment. "This is for anyone in a relationship that is less than 12 months old," Cromack says. "Don't laugh at them, Sydney!" 'Exactly How You Are' is perfectly warm and fuzzy.
"Sorry to the people with sore backs and feet saying can this sh.t end? I respect that," Cromack jokes about their four-song encore. 'Great Display Of Patience' features the band introductions, before fan favourite 'Sad Rude Future Dude' ends the show.
Incredibly tight and melodically gifted, Ball Park Music knock it far, far out of the park.
More photos from the concert.
