Queuing up outside the Apple Store an hour before kick off on Friday
night had an interesting vibe. As we waited, we wondered if this was what
it was like for those dedicated souls who got to the shop early before
the release of the new iPhone, iPad or other gadget wizardry. But there
was a marked difference here because we were anticipating what was
probably the last ever Sydney show from Australian supergroup Basement
Birds.

As we entered the infamous building we were given the full
rock star treatment – lanyards that looked like coveted back stage
passes, free iTunes credit and applause from an overzealous crew. There
was a modest introduction from one of the aforementioned as he asked us
if we were ready to see some awesome and cool live Australian music
before it was time for the quartet to hit the stage. Josh Pyke, Kevin
Mitchell (AKA Bob Evans and Jebediah frontman) Kavyen Temperley (Eskimo
Joe) and Steve Parkin were accompanied by Malcolm Clark and Lee Jones
and received enthusiastic cheers from the get go. The energy in the room
started out on a high and remained this way over the course of their
hour-long set.

They commenced with the jovial pop of “Waiting For You” with the
audience bopping along and lapping up the “Doo doo” repetition. There was great interplay between the four musicians, their camaraderie
shining through not only in their tight playing but also in their
ability to be like a perfect couple (times two) bouncing off one
another and completing each other’s jokes. The mood was infectious
because some spectators decided to get in on the action and make their
own quips. The best one of the night by far was the following exchange:

KAV: We did our soundcheck late at night so we haven’t touched our instruments in ages

KEVIN: Well I touched mine earlier

SCREAMING PUNTER: I’m touching mine now!

“Cinnamon
& Smoke” conjured up images of Americana apple pie and paid homage
to the group’s most likely musical forefathers - Crosby, Stills and Nash.
There were also some nice watery keys thrown into the mix as bemused
onlookers stopped outside the Apple store/glass house/thunderdome on
George Street. It was all very surreal to see the traffic lights change,
buses and taxis transporting people to a night on the town and the
mainstay of the infamous strip- the hoons drag racing their “cool” cars
as a crowd of dedicated fans enjoyed the musical goods offered by one
local boy and three West Australian natives.

“Bus Stop” featured
Julia Stone’s vocals on the album but as she is now quote “becoming
a part of Australia’s most popular group” the guys looked towards the
audience (girls or boys with feminine voices) to come and sing her
parts. The chosen ladies gave the lovely nursery rhyme-come-pop song a
red-hot go even though they tended to be on the quiet side.

Some
George Harrison-style guitars were on offer for Parkin’s song about
love, loss and late night airwaves, “Heartache On The Radio”. But it was
Harrison’s friend, Eric Clapton who would prove the inspiration behind
the riffs in “Reasons,” as they were soft and lilting.

“Skin Of
The Sky” and “Ghosts” would follow before an instrument swap for
“Holly”. The latter was a little bit country but at times also verged on
being both delicate and Dylan-esque thanks to the gorgeous harmonica
played by Mitchell. The Josh Pyke-penned song, “Hardest Part” got
everyone clapping along and absolutely joyous while revelling in its
perfectly sublime songwriting. Single, “Not The One” meanwhile, was like
a hit of toffee and candy stripes it was that sweet.

The finale
saw the boys playing the part legendary and part freaky cover of The
Presets’ “My People”. It was very much country-meets-cabaret and not
very far removed from Amanda Palmer tackling Radiohead on her magical
ukulele. There were eerie blue lights to add to the novelty factor and
by the end everyone was singing along with the chorus.

The
Basement Birds at the Apple Store was an absolute gem of a show
combining tender and heartfelt folk with shiny gold pop that left
everyone feeling loved-up, warm and fuzzy by the set’s end. With one of
the world’s best cities providing the perfect backdrop, it was one part
hippie love fest and one part kitsch house party with your mates singing
much-loved songs that everyone loves. 

With such a quality show, it’s a pity that the four have to go back to their respective “day
jobs” but at least we know we’ll always have iTunes.