LIVE REVIEW: PISCO SOUR AT NORTHCOTE SOCIAL CLUB
Photo Credit: Chloe Mathias
When I saw that Pisco Sour and The Noise were doing a gig together at Northcote Social Club on Kings B-day Eve- I couldn’t hide my excitement. I quickly texted my best friend and music photographer Chloe -
‘OH MY GOD IT’S PISCO AND THE NOISE- this is the dream team! We have to go!’
I have seen Pisco and The Noise numerous times before and they are slowly both becoming my favourite local bands to see live. I trotted off the tram at 8:30, got my stamp to get in, made a bee-line for the bar to get my vodka-soda, and tried to get a spot at the front , though it was already pretty packed.
The night started off with The Opals- an up-and-coming indie-rock band from the North-East of Naarm. They were a great opener- their energetic and vivacious stage presence really set the tone for the rest of the night.
The performance of their new single ‘Summer Sunshine’ was 100% boogie worthy and so much fun to listen to. The smooth delivery of the vocals combined with the light guitar strumming patterns has an almost Weezer vibe to it – I can definitely imagine this song playing on a speaker at the beach at sunset. This is a classic feel-good tune – it makes me think about the warmth and the ease associated with the Aussie summer (which God, I miss in this Melbourne weather). So excited to see what comes next for them as a band.
Up next was The Noise- whom I’ve seen a couple of times and wow they have developed so much as a band. Their sound is so much more cohesive, you can see they are getting more comfortable with performing. Their alt-rock vibe is really coming into fruition – the use of guitar and the laidback rhythm creates such an ambient and almost dream-like soundscape.
The performance of their new single ‘What A Shame’ was my favourite. This song reminds me so much of The Smiths with those classic jangly guitar chords – but the alt-rock vocals is what makes their sound so fresh. The seamless vocal layering of Chloe’s angelic backing with Iggy’s raspy lead vocals gave me goosebumps! Their music has an ethereal quality to it – and particularly this song -it makes me frolic in a meadow somewhere with a flower crown. I was definitely vibing like a weirdo by myself in the crowd to this one.
It was around 10 when The Noise finished, and I was starting to get a little tired- but I knew as soon as Pisco came on, I would be immediately revitalized. Their music and their performance live is the epitome of a shot of espresso.
The first time I saw Pisco Sour it was at Northcote social last year. I have seen them like, 5 times since. Every time I am blown away at how talented these boys are. They are single-handedly bringing back Australian-alt rock to the local music scene - I feel like I am witnessing a special moment in history.
They have this suaveness and charisma to them that makes them unique as musicians.
Nich’s sexy vocals combined with the harsh guitar riffs played by Jules, Tom, and Alex gives an extra layer of sophistication to your typical rock n roll band.
As an audience member, it is genuinely so fun to watch them perform. The band have such good chemistry with each other and the energy they create is infectious. Nich in particular, is such an incredible performer – he’s got that Mick Jagger touch to him. His energy on stage is literally magical - and it creates such a palpable excitement amongst the crowd. Particularly when they performed ‘Stadiums’, it was so cool to see everyone boogying with their friends whilst screaming ‘catch her on the way up, ditch her on the way down’.
It was a gig not to be missed, particularly as the boys are going away for a few months before they go on their first tour.