It was one of the most anticipated Laneway sideshows – so anticipated, in fact, that even drummer Brad Weber’s family flew down from the USA to see the concert. And like so many artists before him who have stepped foot onto the stage, Daniel “Dan” Snaith couldn’t help but bring note to the occasion, “I’m sure everyone who stands up here says this, but this is really something special”.
Dan, who plays under the name Caribou has had nothing short of a celebrated career, but it would fair to suggest that few would have expected him to reach a point that he would be playing (and filling up) the Sydney Opera House – especially following the changes made to his music in 2010’s Swim.
I was first made aware of Caribou’s music around the time the Canadian artist – who currently performs with a three piece band (all dressed in white) – released his Polaris Prize winning Andorra in 2007. It was a stunning Psych Pop record that brought comparisons to the likes of Polyphonic Spree and Animal Collective (both also making waves at the time). It was cinematic, hypnotic and at times beautiful.
So when he dropped Swim three years later, a house drenched electronic record, filled with references to the entire world of electronic music, it was a something few expected – but in the end it was welcomed with open arms. Tracks like “Sun”, which closed the night at the Sydney Opera House in spectacular fashion (I’m still grinning from ear to ear because of that one…), certainly heralded back to some of his earlier material, but the direction Dan had set himself was made clear. After years of DJing around the world, he was here to get bodies moving…
Fast forward to 2014, and following a brief foray into the world of a new alterego in Daphni‘s Jiaolong, he returned to Caribou with the criticially acclaimed Our Love, a progression from his early work that is – at times – perfectly articulated. His ability to create entrancing melodies, which has always been at the heart of the Caribou sound, remains, but the beats have gotten stronger and his electronic scope has been focused. But – and this is what makes it all even more interesting – when played live, it’s as much a rock show as an electronic experience.
The first thing you saw when you walked into the Opera House was two dueling drum kits, sitting in front of a mountain of electronic equipment and guitars. This was going to be a loud show – and it certainly was. There was a vibrancy and ferocity to the band’s performance that was electrifying, from the minute the band launched into “Our Love” right through to the encore of “Sun”. An encore so good that even Dan himself had to stand back in the wings for a moment and enjoy, as the three other members of the band jammed through to a breathtaking climax.
As on record, there are some moments where things slow down, and some tracks are certainly better suited for the live stage than others, but with the heavy beats, an incredible light show supplemented by the most amount of smoke and strobes the venue has probably ever seen, it was an utterly enjoyable experience. And with the crowd on their feet for much of the set (though admittedly it did take a good half an hour to convince them to do it), it seemed the rest of the room were in the same boat. By its end, none of us wanted it to finish.
Those of us who were fans of his earlier material may have been disappointed none of it is included in his current sets, which draw equal halves from his last two records, but at the end of the day it doesn’t matter – it’s not where he and the band are now. What is clear though is that he has perfected these records in the live environment, and I doubt Brad Weber’s family would have been disappointed by making the trip. It was indeed a special night for everyone involved – and damn if he isn’t an incredible drummer…
Setlist:
Our Love
Silver
Mars
Found Out
All I Ever Need
Bowls
Leave House
Jamelia
Back Home
Odessa
Your Love Will Set You Free
Can’t Do Without You
Encore:
Sun
