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Checking out The Medics has been a long time coming, and what better way to experience them for the first time than at their first ever headline show in Sydney - supported by The Honey Month and Babaganouj. I have nothing but great things to say about both support bands, so it pains me to say I missed them both. But my experience with The Medics more than made up for it.
In the last show of their East Coast headline tour, the Brisbane based (and Deadly Award winners, formerly of Cairns) arrived on stage relaxed, focused and calm. Playing tracks off their breakthrough EP This Boat We Call Love alongside newer tracks such as "Rust" and "Beggars", their hour-or-so set was pure enjoyment from start to finish.
They are a band who build up energy and anticipation in a truly impressive way. Each track finds the band more energetic than the last, adding in bits and pieces of crowd interaction - but for the most part they just let the music speak for itself. And with good reason: it's damn impressive... just let that good stuff wash over you!
The climax of the set comes with the remarkable track "Joseph" - the lyric 'you built walls to cover your pride' screamed by the whole band, in some sort of organised chaos. Drummer Jhindu Lawrie runs through the crowd doing the line particular justice. I suddenly had flashbacks to Tim Harrington of Les Savy Fav running around the same venue many years back, stealing people's hats.
With bassist Charles Thomas twirling his bass around, jumping onto the speakers and then switching to a xylophone all in the space of about 15 seconds - jamming together for another 10 minutes - I can't help but think that none of this is intentional on their behalf. They simply love playing their music. And why shouldn't they?
From a band who seemed to calm and collected at the beginning (to the point where you may have expected a pretty average set), by the end they evoke beautiful madness - a truly remarkable transition. The Medics are a band who will impress wherever they go, easily becoming one of those 'must see' live acts of Australia.
- Review by Larry Heath
