01.24
A couple of years ago if someone had told me that the best band I’d see in 2009 was a three piece instrumental band featuring a violin as the main instrument I would have thought they were crazy. But seeing the Dirty Three for the first time at the All Tomorrows Parties festival at Mt Buller changed that; they put on the best live show I saw for the year (beating hundreds of other contenders. So I was over the moon when it was announced that they were playing at The Forum as part of the ATP Don’t Look Back series of concerts, along with The Laughing Clowns.
Ed Kuepper of The Laughing Clowns
Ed Kuepper led the Clowns on to the stage at The Forum and proceeded to power their way through History of Rock N Roll – Volume One, the album they put out in 1984. After a brief technical issue with keyboards it was all systems go and the Laughing Clowns jazz inspired rock/punk/blues was blasted out. A definite highlight for me was Holy Joe.
By the time Warren Ellis and his band of merry men (Jim White and Mick Turner) hit the stage The Forum was close to full. With a little banter from Warren he then led the crowd on an aural experience as they mixed up the order of tracks from their 1998 opus Ocean Songs. This is music of rare beauty and power; ranging from soft and beautiful building to ferocious crescendos of ragged power. This band truly takes their audience on a journey. Once the album tracks were done the band left the stage but thunderous applause brought them back for an encore of Kim’s Dirt before closing out with Everything’s Fucked.
Dirty Three at The Forum
Seeing the Dirty Three for a second time confirmed my initial impression; these guys are one of the greatest live bands on earth. If you ever get the chance to see them do it – there are no excuses for missing out.
Click photos above to see full set of images from the show.
Thanks Rich – seeing it Tuesday at the Enmore. Nice to se Ed gettin’ the old SG out – the axe used on all the Saints early albums
Just saw the clowns and Dirty three in Brisbane. Have to say blown away by Louise and the clowns pity they didnt play eternally yours. THought Dirty three were a bit mechanical. Sure they are good but this my 5th time seeing them and Warrens playing didnt seem to have the texture it used to. However got better throughout the set. Still if you havent seem them you could do a lot worse. Thanks to ed and co for getting TLC backj on the roa.Cheers