Was an absolute treat to see Dawes at the Out on The Weekend Festival on Saturday, the band put on a great show. I was a bit concerned that without Tay Strathairn at the keys that their sound might be missing something but Taylor did an admirable job filling in where required, Tay's unique talents were definitely missed. So it was that I ventured down to the Northcote Social Club on Tuesday night to see the band in a more intimate club setting. I was thinking on the way to the gig whether their atmospheric sound would suit the confines of the Northcote which probably has a capacity of 300 or so. I needn't have displayed any concerns it was a superb gig by one of the best bands going around, it was a tight and energetic performance and it was done with passion and energy from the band. They seemed to deeply appreciate the local support and I noticed them mingling with fans after the show.
The show featured a large dose of their terrific new studio album All Your Favourite Bands as well as some choice cuts from Stories Don't End and Nothing Is Wrong. They opened with the soulful Can't Think About It Now featuring some tasteful guitar work from Duane Betts, Things Happen the opening track from All Your Favourite Bands is becoming a live favourite allowing the band to get the audience going. These guys are all exceptional musicians the standout for me is bassist Wylie Gelber he just lays that groove and he is focused and intense on stage. They keep the more rock based groove going with Right Angle which sounds like a testimony to life on the road, and these guys are the ultimate road warriors they seem to be on an endless tour! If I Wanted Someone from Nothing is Wrong featured some dexterous finger work from Wylie on bass. A highlight of the show was their renditon of Fire Away in which they encouraged audience participation which we were all happy to provide. Taylor has an inexhuastible set of pipes his voice never wavers and is incredibly strong, there are certainly similarities between him and Jackson Browne. The elongated Now That It's Too Late Maria is a tour de force with some great fret work from both Taylor and Duane.
They did a funky version of From A Window Seat (my favourite tune from Stories Don't End) once again I was watching Wylie's fluid bass work, he and Griffin Goldsmith form one of the best rhythm sections going around. They finished with a rousing send off playing All Your Favourite Bands with a well lubricated Johnny Fritz and Robert Ellis jumping on stage for the chorus! Hope these guys get back to these shores again.
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