Last night (21 April) Methyl Ethel played The Fortitude Music Hall performing their latest album 'Are You Haunted?' live for the first time in Brisbane.
The night began with Ash Baroque and Les fleurs d'ombre opening with an animated, dramatic performance piece split in two parts.It was an exciting performance; I loved it but it was short leaving 50-plus minutes of waiting before Methyl Ethel. It didn't seem to warm the crowd up.
Ash Baroque and Les fleurs d'ombre - image © Kalem Horn
Perhaps their performance could have been either side of an opening band? Who knows, maybe the crowd was there just for 'Ubu' and didn't care either way.
While we waited for the main act, instead of a Spotify playlist ambient/ experimental music played over the speakers. It got me excited for the peculiar night ahead. It was really a unique night so far.
For anyone not yet acquainted with Jake Webb (the creator of Methyl Ethel), he's an odd person. He also really loves art. While he changed the batteries on one of the instruments, he told the crowd how he went to the art gallery before the show and "we should all go together".
Methyl Ethel - image © Kalem Horn
I've personally seen Methyl Ethel a handful of times, from the Woolly Mammoth to Splendour In The Grass, and whole-heartily enjoyed their sets every time; one of my favourites.
More photos from the show.
Tonight the band performance was super tight (while not feeling constricted) and ran like a well-oiled machine. Jake, front and centre and as animated as ever, danced on stage with his wired microphone while the rest of the band swayed to the rhythm.
Jake would start songs by layering his samples live, which was really cool to see the deconstruction and construction of our favourite songs.
When he played the core sample of 'Neon Cheap' the crowd screamed in recognition! To which he responded: "This one is called 'Enter Sandman'." It got a laugh out of me.
Methyl Ethel - image © Kalem Horn
Tonight was a cross between an art show and musical performance. I would love to see Jake really let loose on the creativity. Take a big risk and go overboard with expression and lean more into the quirky, artistic, classical nature of the music and aesthetic.
How you do that within budget and logistical constraints I'm not sure. Live visuals and dancers/ performers on stage? Perhaps live-only experimental musical pieces between songs creating a whole journey throughout the set. Maybe showcase artworks in the venue itself?
Methyl Ethel - image © Kalem Horn
It was an artistic, classical, peculiar, emotion-grabbing night with topnotch performers.
As Methyl Ethel continues to evolve, I will happily delight my 'ear-balls' for an even weirder show (hopefully) next time.
