Aussie-born and LA-based singer/songwriter Dolly Dagger (named after the Hendrix song, natch) is reanimating a …
DEADLIGHTS with The Comfort, Vitals + VAELA – Crowbar, Brisbane – 21st April, 2017
Walking down into the Crowbar basement always reminds me of junior school discos.
At 8pm, the smoke machine was already pushing out fog, and a smattering of people stood around the room with cups in hand. Then Drive On To Me, the 2000 single of semi-obscure post-hardcore band Elliott came over the speakers, and it sounded nothing like S Club 7 at all!
Vaela // Photo: Vincent Shaw
There were four bands on the line-up tonight, which meant short sets for the openers. First band VAELA took to the stage, with a mix of guttural growls, and clean vocals that had a Zack de la Rocha vibe. The band played songs from their new EP Divided, including one called Wolves, which was filled with double-kick and mad chugging. After playing only four or five songs, they left the stage and Vitals came on.
Vitals // Photo: Vincent Shaw
Vitals created entrancing instrumental soundscapes during their short set, while also delivering brutal, heavy vocals. The vocalist whipped his lusciously long hair around during instrumental breaks, as the crowd bounced along.
The bass in this band is just phenomenal. At times I actually thought my insides were going to explode.
Next up was The Comfort. The first thing I noticed was how different they were in genre from the two previous bands. I’d heard a lot about The Comfort, but never gotten a chance to see them live until last night, and I was glad I got to!
The Comfort // Photo: Vincent Shaw
Filled with so much energy, the alternative rock band opened with perhaps their most well-known song, Everstone. The crowd was really filling out by this point, and outstretched arms moved in unison as the band played their second song, Love & Other Drugs. The band played several other songs, including 2015 single Roses, before leaving the stage and the warmed up crowd to headliners Deadlights.
Deadlights // Photo: Vincent Shaw
Deadlights’ set began with chanting. A loud reverberating thump silenced it, echoing through the crowd. Strobe lights flashed and filtered into the audience, and Deadlights began their set with Order Without Order. The crowd swelled as more and more people jumped out of their seats and came to join in. The band were clearly pleased with the huge turnout, as their frontman looked out into the crowd and announced “this is crazy for us, thank you!”. When it was announced they were about to play their most recent single, Attitude and Longitude, there was a resounding cheer from the crowd. Then, crowdsurfing began.
Deadlights // Photo: Vincent Shaw
The bass in this band is just phenomenal. At times I actually thought my insides were going to explode. The relentless use of his kick drums added to bass made it feel as if there were gigantic subwoofers inside the building. The frontman commanded the attention of the crowd, and it was clear they were enthralled. “This next song is about how everyone in the music scene sounds the fucking same” he announced, “this next song is called Backwash, it’s a fuck you!”. When it was announced they were about to play Invisible Hands, arguably their best known song, the crowd erupted in screams and cheers. As pretty much everyone in the venue sang along, there was an infectious feeling of unity which spread across the crowd.
Deadlights // Photo: Vincent Shaw
It was a great night, and as people filtered out of the venue after the show’s end, there was a definite sense of satisfaction at having just witnessed something great.
