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Bluebottle Kiss + Matt Handley & The Dagger Stares, Karl Larsson Jive, Sat 13 August One man stood in enchantment on the dance floor, two gentlemen conversed in the corner, and Karl Larsson quietly endeared the other two or three dozen of us that lounged throughout Jive. Despite the lack of audience numbers meaning there was less atmosphere than outer space, the fans that were there were deeply appreciative of Larsson's acoustic guitar pop music. Indeed, the clapping and cheering that followed most of Larsson's songs would have been acceptable for an audience five times as large. Larsson was simply excellent. The same unknown gentleman stood solo on the dance floor, the two gentlemen conversing in the corner changed into a group of five people, and Matt Handley & The Dagger Stares took the stage. Looking and sounding very much like Handley's old band Pollyanna, the guises were dropped soon into their loud set when Particular People was banged out. Handley & The Dagger Stares grew better as their set progressed and, finishing with another strong song from his old band, they showed that they've still very much got it. Perhaps it was just a coincidence, but around an hour after the conclusion of the local football derby, the solo gentleman on the dance floor morphed into around forty or so good-looking people, including triumphant Crow Nathan Bassett and brother Scott. Bluebottle Kiss sounded as good as ever: their live show is always remarkably more powerful than their refined CDs, and tonight was no exception. The new line-up proved as explosive and imaginative as the last, with a few minor differences actually improving songs thought by myself to have been perfect before hand. Hasten The Blows was as per usual exciting sing-a-long; Little Bit Of Light was exceptional (Ben Grounds back announced it as their soon-to-be 'hit'). Staples Ministry Of Fear and Crawling With Ants were huge anthems and Bluebottle Kiss hadn't even peaked. Homeless Blueless was performed perfectly, with Jamie Hutchings oozing confidence and delicate touch, and Gangsterland rounded off the set in the usual Bluebottle Kiss way of improvised mayhem - guitars screaming to the nasty bass line. Hitchhiking In New Zealand in the encore capped off another amazing show by Australia's best live band.  |
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