|
 |
Doves + Neon Heaven Tues 26 July  When
your expectations are met, raised and then blown away completely,
you know that you've gone to a good gig. Quite simply: Doves were
sensational and went higher than my already vertigo-inducingly lofty
expectations of them. Neon were the only support band but DJ Ian Bell played some most excellent pop-rock songs between the sets, which was a welcome alternative to the usual monotonous club soundscapes. My expectations for Neon were mighty low, having read some bad press which had been reinforced by friends' negative opinions. However, I ended up really enjoying their set, with my expectations easily surpassed. Neon play fairly simple sounding pop rock that is made impressive due to some cool choruses and a pace which they temper well by simply not trying too hard to outplay one another. The single Dizziness was the high point of their quite long set; the songs that followed were just not as interesting as fellow dB writer Scott Berry's ramblings about how terrible bassist Britt Spooner's eighties haircut was. After a powerful intro of screaming guitars and pounding drums, Doves went right into hit single Pounding. An apt choice, since it was probably the loudest sound I'd ever heard come from the Heaven speakers, and with the distortion turned up it was a powerful beginning. The onslaught didn't stop for about three more songs, with Black And White Town completing the first part of the set before Jimi Goodwin slowed up and addressed the crowd. He dryly commented on the superior paintings of angels decorating the room, and then congratulated his band. They'd finally made it: they were playing at a titty bar in Adelaide! Goodwin's irreverence was all in good fun: this was a night where everyone was in a good mood, and the crowd which filled up Heaven were exceptionally receptive and celebratory. The moodier songs such as Almost Forgot Myself, Caught By The River, There Goes The Fear and Last Broadcast were the most enchanting. The use of distortion, energy and strong chemistry between the band members simply took their studio sound to a level I had no idea Doves had within them. At no point were they boring or average, but rather grew better and better as their set progressed. Personally, it was the shortest hour and a half set from memory. Gasp, sigh: brilliant.  |
|
The latest issue available now!     |
All content copyright dB Magazine