Sydney's Hordern Pavilion is celebrating its 100th anniversary, and the lines are aptly wrapped around the corner waiting agitatedly for Nothing But Thieves.
The Moving Stills kick off the night (30 April) with their indie tunes and infectious energy, getting the packed crowd right into the mood.Before the main performance, the PA plays songs intertwined with radio DJ segments plugging a live performance by the band of the night. It's an interesting and engaging gimmick.
The band enter uncharacteristically early, under red lights. Pumping synths punch into 'Welcome To The DCC' as frontman Conor Mason's falsetto rings out clear and powerful.
"Make some noise," he incites before launching straight into 'Is Everybody Going Crazy?'. The distorted guitar absolutely pumps as Mason cries: "Go f...ing crazy." The tune is powerful and frenetic.
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'Tomorrow Is Closed' kicks you right in the feels, a brilliantly crafted production that deserves a second listen. Mason's voice cries out, desiring something beyond his reach, as the crowd watches mesmerised. A single beam streams down on Mason for the bridge. What a moment in time.
'Broken Machine' offers temporary respite from the fury, before the chorus cuts in like a brick to the face. "Sydney, would you like a real love song?" Mason asks to cheers from the audience, as 'Real Love Song' follows. Nothing But Thieves are a band full of catchy riffs and piercing melody. Nostalgia fills the room.
"Hello Sydney, how we doing?" Mason asks in a space between. "We've been playing here for over ten years. This is mind-blowing. Thanks for coming to be with us. We know this is going to be a night with the rowdiest bunch of c....!"
'City Haunts' and 'Drawing Pins' follow, but it's brilliant songwriting and the iconic bridge of 'Sorry' that takes the show so far. Mason's falsetto shines again in 'Do You Love Me Yet?', the '80s-inspired synths and strings calling out as white lights dither across the stage. "Sydney, do you love us yet?" Mason asks, exiting as a distorted guitar solo plays out.
An instrumental medley of 'Ce n'est Rien', 'Gods' and 'Number 13' follows that is harder than getting up with a hangover. The guitars and drums smash together in a wall of sound. Mason rejoins for 'Unperson', dancing across the stage. He is clearly enjoying himself.
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"This is a song about sex," he announces for 'You Know Me Too Well'. Sexy guitar sounds ring through the bridge and carry the song out. "We're gunna play one from the very start," Mason declares. "This one is called 'Lover, Please Stay'. Sing-along." The song is gentle and sweet, as the aqua lights pour down. Mason's voice is absolutely stunning, and time suspends.
The band launch straight back into a million miles an hour with 'Trip Switch' followed by 'Futureproof', completely stopping mid-song to tease the audience for an elongated moment, before finishing in furious fashion.
"Hey Joe do you wanna do a shoey?" Mason asks. "Does he have to use his own shoe?" Joe removes his shoe, obliges, and returns it.
"This next song, I'd appreciate if you helped me sing, 'cause I've wasted all my energy dancing like a tit," Mason says. 'Impossible' floats out under white swirling lights, a song that really kicks you in the guts.
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'Pop The Balloon' closes out the regular set with more searing guitars and distortion. This is one heavy band. While they wait for the encore, the crowd sing 'Hey Baby' with gusto, and you remember you don't actually know who wrote this song.
The band re-enter to 'Oh No :: He Said What?' and the energy continues. 'Amsterdam' has the crowd dancing, before 'Overcome' closes the show.
Playing like a bat out of hell, Nothing But Thieves' live show is a wild ride. They can transition from tender emotion to melting your face in a millisecond. However, it was the slower moments, when Mason's voice shone through the darkness, that were most touching. 10/10. Would definitely see again.
More photos from the concert.
