Ben Gibbard has one of the most beguiling male singing voices in popular music today. His poetic and charming lilt is hypnotic while his lyrics are a veritable flick and play through language, one which turns a sharp phrase into an enigmatic, yet profound, image. I came by way of Gibbard with his music for electro indie pop band The Postal Service, whom I simply adore. When I found out he was also the driving force behind Death Cab for Cutie… well, the love affair was easy to transpose.
Now, I’m only a recent fan of Death Cab for Cutie and found the prospect of seeing them at Fremantle Arts Centre (FAC) last night (Thursday February 19) a little daunting – it’s tough to go and see a band when you don’t know all their songs. You feel slightly out of the loop, perhaps a little too eager. Even a little out of your depth.
But fortunately Death Cab for Cutie are such accomplished musicians that their Southern Lawn concert at FAC was simply mesmerising. And it seems that mesmerising is easily enhanced at FAC, with the brooding majesty of the 1860’s building set on over 2 hectares of land a simply breathtaking backdrop. Of course, Death Cab for Cutie used the surrounds to full dramatic effect that the overall impact was one that saw them jostle, croon and swoon through a selection of tracks from their six albums, albums, a number from their seminal work Plans plus more recent tracks.
Highlight of the night would have to be the encore when Gibbard returned to the stage to perform a solo version of I Will Follow You Into the Dark. This song captures the pure resonance of Gibbard’s writing and voice – it crunches with honesty, romanticism and shrewd honesty, concocting a heady mix of emotions, all underlined with a bittersweetness. The fact that Gibbard took to the stage to sing this song as the encore proved that yes, he does have a slight love affair with Australia (and Perth), one which he is willing to prove with such an intimate moment… that and the brazen line ‘We love this place… it’s our most favourite place in the world.’
It is possible he was referring specifically to FAC. The grounds are simply amazing and well worth attending as a place to witness live music. On the horizon they have the Gimme Shelter Concert, again happening on the Southern Lawn, which takes place tomorrow, Saturday February 21, and features John Butler playing a solo gig. And then on Thursday March 5 and Friday March 6 they have the amazing and over the top live experience that is Cat Empire, them of the exuberant big band sounds played by up to 13 musicians on stage at any one time. But for those who perhaps prefer a little more classical music, the forthcoming Soft Soft Loud series and WAAPA direct concerts may be more your thing, Soft Soft Loud featuring the debut of the Australian Brass Quartet.
For more information on all upcoming gigs at FAC, visit www.fac.org.au.
Scott-Patrick Mitchell
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