I encounter a hive of activity as I arrive to join the swarm of POND fans at The Princess Theatre.
The crowd is predominantly younger generations, but also a good showing from us Gen Xers and even a few boomers who have arrived early to catch special guests Full Flower Moon Band, chosen for the Brisbane leg (29 June).Entering the theatre, a haze of smoke hangs in the air and excited chatter of the gathering crowd fills the space. On time yet unannounced, Full Flower Moon Band (FFMB): Christian Driscoll (guitar), Caleb Widener (guitar), Luke Hanson (drums), and Marli Smales (bass, vocals) take their place on the dark moody stage.
As some front-row fans catch on to this sly entrance cheers erupt to welcome them. Kate 'Babyshakes' Dillon joins the band to give us the first guitar notes of 'Meet Ya'.
Full Flower Moon Band - image © Clea-marie Thorne
While her guitar intro may start the FFMB engine slowly and lonely, the revs soon increase with bass then more guitars and drums cranking it to the point where Dillon's sultry vocals join in and it all shifts into overdrive.
From there the gutsy grind continues with 'Trainspotting' and 'Westside' as FFMB keeps the engine rolling with a perfect blend of catchy, blunt and unpolished tunes that have an edgy vibe – some not dissimilar to The Dead Weather.
Dillon showcases her versatility with 'Illegal Things' and 'Devil' as her vocals range from alluring whispers to full-throated roars, while she moves with a sensual wildness – when combined with her guitar work, it is a constant source of awe.
A standout moment is their riff salute to POND – a sleazy and dirty instrumental teasing us while paying homage to the headliners with a layer of nasty flair that has us roaring in approval.
Full Flower Moon Band - image © Clea-marie Thorne
'Hurt Nobody' and 'Roadie' solidify their reputation for dishing up rocking performances that leave a lasting impression on fans and convert new ones. Leaving us with the explosive taste of 'Power', a track that exemplifies all things FFMB, the flavour is one of intense energy.
In a world where there is an overabundance of polished performances, their skilful musicianship of unadulterated rock & roll would fit right in at the Titty Twister.
Tonight's live set has been a thrilling ride from start to finish, driven by Dillon's electrifying presence and the band's unwavering energy. If you ever get the chance to see them live, take it – but be warned, they might just eat you alive.
Nicholas Allbrook (vocals, guitar), Jay 'Gum' Watson (drums, guitar, synth/ keys), 'Shiny' Joe Ryan (guitar, percussion), Jamie Terry (keys/ synth, bass), and James 'Jim' Ireland (guitar, drums, keys/ synth) start with the slow and trippy sounds of 'Daisy', popping off rock beats made for moving your hips – it's all about that pause before hitting us with the anticipated chorus.
Not too far into 'America's Cup' Allbrook begins interacting with fans up close and personal. Fans are reaching out to him and mobile phones are capturing the close-ups as he stands at, on or arched over the barrier, fans egging him on while bopping along to the funky beats. Cheers explode as returns to the stage and flings his mic around.
Allbrook introduces new song 'Stung!' and declares: "I'm f...ing stung by FFMB, man. I haven't felt that sh.t in awhile!" Axes lead the intro. Watson gets the rhythm going and Ryan picks at the notes while Terry and Ireland keep the underlying rhythm tight and groovylicious.
POND - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Allbrook, with the Jagger Swaggers, hits the mic singing while the band keep it tight even while Allbrook mimics a monkey bounding on all fours for a few moments. It's hilarious considering the song is about realising unrequited love.
Allbrook can't stay away from the fans, but returns to lay on the stage while Watson plays the guitar and sings the first verse of 'Neon River'. Allbrook jumps to his feet in time to let his pipes rip into the Led Zeppelin-vibing chorus. It's so much fun to witness the contrasting parts of the song enhanced with dual vocals.
Feeling gratified for the sold-out show, we the collective "good-looking" fans get a thank you. Allbrook admits he will only talk to us about two things tonight: "How the Dockers won over Sydney this afternoon and the FFMB."
'Sweep Me Off My Feet' is next, and fans do not stay still or silent for a second. Sweet voices erupt from the crowd for the chorus and Ryan's sublime guitar solo. Fun ensues with the lively funk of 'So Lo', another new one. It's so easy to take to the catchy groove of this song. Watson has switched from keys to guitar and is bouncing around. Up the back, Jamie does crafty double duties on the synth and bass.
Some may argue, but I'm digging the Minneapolis sound this is vibing. I mean who doesn't like a cocktail of funk rock, new wave, synth-pop? Allbrook feeling this groove lets rip James Brown/ Jagger/ Prince moves including a jaw-dropping spin to knee dip drop.
Yells erupt from the crowd as Allbrook dedicates the next song to the "FFMB as the greatest and foremost purveyors of f...-rock in Australia," before cracking me up by stating: "I hope the head of PieFace Records is here tonight and making a good decision, and putting these pricks, on like the next big bill!" Are you smiling? No? Then you haven't watched 'The Mighty Boosh'.
POND - image © Clea-marie Thorne
The low and heavy Sabbath-like tones of 'Black Lung' is next. It is a perfect track to head-bang to or strangle yourself with a mic cord if your name is Allbrook. Lol.
Safe from strangulation, Allbrook introduces himself and his bandmates as Watson and Terry trade instruments before 'Constant Picnic'. This is instrumentally softer than 'Black Lung', although lyrically bold – both are from the 'Stung!' album.
Following these is fan favourite from '9', 'Human Touch'. Aptly, it has Allbrook getting more skin from fans as he sings, dances and surfs in the sea of punters. Eventually, he returns to the stage to play with his effects pedals and adds some echo and intergalactic twittering to the music while he dances and leaps up on the riser to interface with Gum.
Allbrook apologises for "inadvertently" putting his boot in someone's face while crowd-surfing, then starts singing 'Paint Me Silver'. Quickly he moves to Ryan to share his mic so they can both sing the lines: "The power to devour all the creeping things he made. Slip up in the shower singing home-made lemonade."
He then exclaims "mwah!" as he gives Ryan a peck on the cheek before sauntering to centre-stage to sing and groove using the microphone stand as a prop for gyrating or swinging it around for kicks.
POND - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Allbrook thanks us again, straps on his guitar and gives us two thumbs up telling us they will do one from their album 'Hobo Rocket'. I recognise it instantly as 'Aloneaflameaflower'.
Allbrook takes the lead from Ryan, who uses this opportunity to crack open a can into the mic, chugging it down before slinging back his guitar to drop in some cowbells! I love the gloomy groove and cacophony of this song, all the way up to its delicious climax and down the other side, to its slow, old-school, wind-down finale.
Fans cheer loudly again just for good measure before the tender title track from 'The Weather'. Allbrook is back among the fans. He loves it, and so do we!
Closing out with a 'Toast' to all poor excuses for humans contributing to our societal demise. All in all, POND has given us a versatile set list delivering tight, gritty, heavy rock as well as tender and melodic pop-rock compositions all with emotive, intense passion.
Ha! While we are still cheering the band return for their first encore song, dedicated to their dearly departed friend Cowboy John. 'Hang A Cross On Me' packs plenty of energy as Allbrook leaps and spins, moving with a frenetic energy that captivates us.
We hear the recording of Cowboy John telling us that we are going to do it again as the room erupts between the band and crowd with every bar of music. Sh.t gets crazy on stage.
Allbrook kicks the mic stand into the air, catches it, and starts waving it around, then gets back to whipping his mic about on its lead. Ryan drops his failing axe and improvises with the cowbell. While the tech checks it out, Ryan declares: "I broke everything I own! That's the power of Cowboy John. He f...ing blew everything up man," adding a unique moment to show.
In no time we are boogying along to 'Don't Look At The Sun Or You'll Go Blind'; how delicious is this? Early, deep psychedelic POND – bloody fantastic!
The band is creating a perfect rip, sweeping us off our feet and dragging us into the Latino-inspired disco beat that is merging faultlessly with the escalating guitar riff to unleash a propulsive energy in the room.
POND - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Allbrook gets sassy by injecting the chorus line from Groove Armada's 'I See You Baby' "shaking that ass, shaking that ass," while out for a final crowd surf. Before the song is done, he rejoins the band onstage with his guitar to join this unforgettable epic POND jam happening onstage where five musicians are capturing the unbridled spirit of this massive banger written by Ryan, Watson and Allbrook in a live setting.
The hive releases a frenzied applause. Ryan gives out his set list, Allbrook gives thumbs up and heart sign and the rest of the band raises their hands in a final farewell. What a blast. I can see why the tour has been a sell-out. Compelling multi-instrumentalist musicians who sing and play with an exceptionally tight dynamism.
POND's ability to hypnotise you with a variety of soaring instrumental and vocal melodies to blues and crushing, psychedelic heavy rock produces a momentous live show that captivates and gives fans a deep catharsis.
It doesn't hurt they are led by a frontman who has the crowd wrapped around his little finger lured not only by his vocals and guitar chops, but his authentic charisma and rock star swagger. The audience is under his spell, gripped by his every move.
More photos from the concert.
