In a time of cloudy weather and cancellations, Goth Babe shines like the first ray of sun after a dreary winter.
Venturing to Australian shores for his debut shows down under, the American indie songwriter showed Melbourne audiences what 'enjoying life' is supposed to look like, playing the Croxton Bandroom last Friday (1 November).Local quartet Kitschen Boy opened the night with their excellent indie rock sound. Only announced a short while before show day, the band sounded as tight as ever as they cruised through their catalogue.
The band finished their 30-minute appearance with their track 'Charlie Don't Party', which had the crowd up and dancing themselves. It's unsure whether any Charlie's where in attendance.
A show originally scheduled at the Forum, before being moved to Thornbury's Croxton Bandroom, any doubts about the show's attendance were quickly blown away by the entrance of Goth Babe.
With his guitar strapped to the front of him and microphone in his other hand, the Tennessean jumped up and down onstage to opening track 'Spinnaker Days', lit in a beautiful silhouette.
Goth Babe is the musical project made by Griff Washburn, who's usually out on his sailboat, and is energetic, but easy on the ears. While some electronic-leaning shows don't translate well to a live setting, Goth Babe is a roaring exception.
Each track felt like they had been brought to life and walked among the audience, like they were made to be heard live. The crowd recognised this as they bounced and swayed surrounded in audible bliss.
If you were wondering how an electronic project from one person came to life, the stage consisted of Washburn equipped with a microphone and guitar accompanied by live drums, sample pads, keys, bass guitar and electric guitar. The mixture emphasised the best parts of the tracks, while remaining true to the recorded sound.
"Thanks ya'll," Goth Babe started. "Do you say ya'll? Ya'll mind if I keep saying ya'll?"
The performance was broken up with a few skits happening about halfway into the show. Out of nowhere, Washburn told his band member to "drop that sh.t!", commencing a huge EDM banger in a completely different realm to Goth Babe's usual style, launching an unsuspecting crowd in a dancing frenzy, while others remained confused. The band clearly enjoyed the chaos of the skit, dancing around the stage themselves.
Another moment during 'Encinitas', a collaboration with Louis The Child, had each side of the room jumping up and down in contest to win a pineapple floaty, armed with a cardboard kangaroo mounted on the top. After a fierce and energetic clash between each of side, the left of the room proved their worth winning the floaty that lasted longer than expected to the band's amusement.
The American artist felt like a refreshing live entertainer, one who genuinely enjoyed and appreciated their time on set. There were few moments where Washburn wasn't grinning ear to ear; he felt like the happiest artist in the world.
Nearing the end of the night, a short encore soundtracked by a gramophone-like recording saw the return of the band to stage, although now equipped in Halloween outfits (Washburn had donned a wizard hat and large beard).
Launching into their biggest single, 'Weekend Friend', the crowd enthusiastically bounced and sang along to the anticipated track. Upon the set's final track however, rather than leaving the stage, the band decided to continue dancing to another banger, 'Sunshine (My Girl)' by Wuki, as it blasted over the Croxton speakers, once again leaving punters either dancing along or a little confused over the antics.
This carried on for another few minutes, with house lights and music being suspended while the band and crowd both danced around to different house tracks; truly a different kind of way end to a show.
For those who weren't in attendance to a Halloween party, and instead decided to attend the Goth Babe concert, they left knowing they weren't the ones to miss out.
