Spoon Performed live at The Forum, Melbourne on Wednesday the 11th February.
Getting to the Forum early to get a good spot for adored Austin band Spoon seems to be on everyone’s agenda, and the venue is already buzzing by 8.30 pm.
The cruisy, stoner rock sounds of Deep Sea Arcade provide a nice backdrop as punters swarm in, catch up with friends and finding their patch of space on the floor or in the booths. Deep Sea Arcade prove they are a band to keep an eye on.
The backdrop up on the set, though, belongs to the band that everyone is here to see. The painted fingernails are recognisable as the cover of They Want My Soul, the band’s latest album, and while it is dark when Spoon come out on the stage, the ear-piercing and three blinding spotlights indicate this is not going to be an ordinary show. Not that they need impressive stage design to woo the crowd – they are a band that truly sound more magical live.
Starting with ‘Rent I Pay,’ the crowd is completely mesmerised and engrossed for the next ninety minutes. Lead singer Britt Daniel is captivating, with his cocky dance moves and quirky head jerks, his raspy, pitch perfect voice and his complete energy and engagement in every second of every song. The second Alex Fischel is also wonderful to watch and listen to, his almost over-the-top guitar and keyboard solos are full of gusto, head-banging and vigour.
‘Satellite’ is introduced as their ‘new song,’ and it’s a lovely, slower ballad with Britt Daniel‘s scratchy, raspy voice giving the tune its signature Spoon sound.
Britt Daniel tells the audience he’s been in Melbourne for three weeks and he’s “gonna miss it…you’ve got a fantastic city.” That’s about all the talking he does for the whole show. There’s music to be played, after all.
The coos of ‘Do You’ echo throughout the Forum, exhibiting Britt Daniel’s brilliant voice range.
‘Don’t Make Me A Target’ is a crowd favourite, and there are people spinning around, shouting out the lyrics and spilling beer all over themselves and their friends. Next, there’s a switch to acoustic for a beautifully heartfelt version of ‘I Summon You.’
‘Inside Out,’ from the new album ‘They Want My Soul’ has gorgeous, dreamy keyboard solos, and Britt Daniel kneels down at the front of the stage, looking right into the eyes of audience members as he sings. ‘I Turn My Camera On’ is wonderfully funky and Alex Fischel produces electrifying, crackling noises on his keyboard.
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While some of the crowd do not appear to recognize the song, it is a great surprise and a huge sign of respect to hear Spoon cover Eddy Current Suppression Ring’s ‘Memory Lane’, and Britt Daniel’s voice sounds incredibly similar to Brendan Suppression’s. It is a cool reminder that Australia’s homegrown talent is up there with the best of them.
By the time Spoon get to their second last song, ‘You Got Yr Cherry Bomb,’ Britt Daniels is close to losing his voice but still giving the performance his all.
They finish on The Underdog, which is a predictable but happy ending, again showing the immensity of their talent and the wide range of genres they are capable of crossing into.
Leaving The Forum, there are groups of friends in earshot elatedly discussing the energy, technical skill and talent of the band. They have certainly won over plenty of fans in this part of the world.
