The Standard Launch Party ft. The Pajama Club – The Standard (13.09.11)

Another week, another venue is born (though some may argue reborn) and another takes it’s final breath (Tone, at least in it’s current location). Yesterday saw the launch of The Standard at Kinselas, in what used to be the Lo-Fi Collective art room. Embracing it’s early 90s NYC warehouse heritage, which featured bands from around the world including Beastie Boys, Public Enemy and The Lemoonheads, one has to wonder why this ever ceased being a venue at all.

A brief comedy act on the industry opening night tried to explain the history of the venue, but it seemed few were listening, the majority turning their back on the duo in favour of their friends and their beer.

Comedy is set to be a staple for the venue, alongside music and burlesque, though did little to amuse the crowd tonight. One might argue this is a hard to please crowd, and they are probably right – ultimately it just didn’t work in the context, and was an average routine in either case. The burlesque portion of the evening, however, seemed much more up peoples alley.

But if you don’t include the free piss, it was The Pajama Club that we’d all come to see. The opportunity to catch Neil Finn in any context is one you rarely say no to – especially in such intimate surrounds. And I have to say they killed it tonight. The previously indifferent crowd were mesmerised by the Crowded House lead singer’s latest project, accompanied by wife Sharon, Alana Skyring (ex The Grates), and debuting tonight, Nethanial (may or may not be name).

Not having listened to any of the material in advance of the gig, I was blown away by the material. Their debut self-titled album is going to be pretty damn killer if tonight was any indication. This said, it’s Neil f’ing Finn… should I have expected anything different?

The second track “These Are Conditions” was the first track to shoot me a bit of wow factor… Indeed, it arrived early on. I continued to be impressed from track to track: “Diamonds on my eyes” and the Beatlesque “Golden Child”. Then they threw in a phenomenal version of The Finn Brothers “Suffer Never” – with a bit of Gary Numan’s “Are friends electric” thrown in for good measure.

The impressive “Daylight” came next, with Neil mentioning how this is an old venue trying something new, as they are an old band doing the same. Indeed, quite perfect! Neil moved onto the drums, as he did on the album for “Tell Me What You Want”. A cover of ESG’s “It’s Alright” ended the night, a band who Neil cited as inspiration, and like his own cover before it, he did a bit of a “live remix” impressively adding in a bit of “Billy Jean” to close the evening.

It was a sensational night by a band whose variety of sound will impress upon every living generation. One might call the music “timeless” – but they might be selling something. The night itself showed off a venue which has followed the Beresford in delivering a brand new, state of the art venue to a city which looks to need it dearly. But it’s aesthetic and clientele are quite a contrast to the shiny new “Upstairs”. It’s a little grungy, feels like a warehouse space and at least for the moment, seems to transport you to a time and place far distant from Taylor Square in 2011. In short, some venues get it right, and in this instance The Standard have nailed it.

Great sound, good lighting, well positioned air conditioning and most importantly: great tunes. This is the venue Sydney didn’t know it needed, but totally wants. No doubt see you there very soon…

Bluejuice will headline the public launch tomorrow night and Custard will play their first Sydney gig in 12 years at the venue next week. Also, don’t miss the official afterparty for Changing Lanes on Saturday night. Tickets are available here: http://www.wearethestandard.com.au/

Photos by Jared van Earle, used with Permission.

Larry Heath

Founding Editor and Publisher of the AU review. Currently based in Toronto, Canada. You can follow him on Twitter @larry_heath or on Instagram @larryheath.