Project Description

CITY CALM DOWN

@ The Tivoli

(Live Review)

08/06/18

Reviewer: Alexandra Ainsworth

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City Calm Down @ The Tivoli – By Mike Wotton

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Tonight’s first band, IV League, play in front of a small crowd of eager fans dotted throughout the venue. The lack of bodies, however, doesn’t stop the four from managing to immediately fill the room with electrifying riffs and enthusiastic vocals. Propelled forward by equally as impressive drum and bass, IV League take no more than one track to prove they’re worth heading in early for.

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Bella Venutti of IV League @ The Tivoli – By Mike Wotton

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It’s hard, however, not to admit that the set is stolen by vocals from frontwoman Bella Venutti. Venutti manages to boast both stunning vocals and lyrics (in addition to guitar) as well as a charming sense of humility that makes the entire set an unbelievably endearing affair. Venutti, as well as the rest of the band, are dangerously close to perfecting their sound, and it’s worth keeping an eye out for.

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IV League @ The Tivoli – By Mike Wotton

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Melbourne’s Woodes (Elle Graham) is next to grace the stage. The 24-year-old, cloaked almost entirely in sequins with a crown of thorns, makes nothing short of a dramatic entrance. Looming synth loops and drums make for a cinematic soundscape that instantly peaks the interest of even those clinging to the walls with beers in tow. It’s a bold opening that has anyone formerly unintroduced quickly looking up her name before Woodes’ vocals even start.

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Woodes @ The Tivoli – By Mike Wotton

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Beguiling moves from under her cloak make Graham almost frustratingly elusive, but as soon as the first few songs end, a beaming smile that humbly thanks the crowd make it impossible not to be completely enamoured by Woodes. The setlist moves through works from her self-titled EP, which includes her collaboration with Sydney’s Set Mo, as well as crowd favourites Origami and Hunger. Despite the start of her set garnering a few raised eyebrows amongst the crowd, most are convinced by final track Dots.

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Woodes @ The Tivoli – By Mike Wotton

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The headlining slot for the night comes from Melbourne’s City Calm Down. The five, who are joined by two extra members on brass, start the set with the ambient build of Distraction/Losing Sleep, the extended intro bursting into a flurry of guitars and drums as lead singer Jack Bourke strides on stage. It’s the exact energy that the crowd has been patiently waiting for, giving them the perfect excuse to turn into a mess of aggressively nodding heads and outstretched arms.

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Jack Bourke of City Calm Down @ The Tivoli – By Mike Wotton

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The crowd are an adorably awkward sight to watch from above. Though they have their moments, City Calm Down aren’t particularly danceable, so it’s with a slight frustration that the audience tries their best to express how deeply emotive songs across all albums and EPs are. Some resort to drunkenly shaking their friends, aggressively dancing into anyone near them, while others simply stand wide-eyed with infatuation. Across the room it’s obvious that despite how large the venue is, City Calm Down are reaching every person in it.

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City Calm Down @ The Tivoli – By Mike Wotton

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Though the national tour is in support of latest record, Echoes in Blue, the setlist is a healthy mix from all eras. Pleasure and Consequence from the band’s 2012 EP, Movements, is surprisingly well received, with older favourites Son, If There’s A Light On, and Rabbit Run from debut In A Restless House instigating heartfelt singalongs.

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City Calm Down @ The Tivoli – By Mike Wotton

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It’s the tracks from Echoes in Blue, however, that prove to be the highlight of the set. The combination of Joan, I’m Disappearing and Decision Fatigue offers opposing insights into relationship breakdowns, while Blood and Pride provide a bittersweet upbeat with equally as poignant lyricism. Slow burners Blame and title track Echoes In Blue are the perfect opportunities for Bourke to boast his looming baritone—a sound so entirely encapsulating it sometimes feels as though it’s moments from swallowing you whole.

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City Calm Down @ The Tivoli – By Mike Wotton

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With the overwhelming praise Echoes in Blue received upon its release, there was some hesitation about how the band would be able to translate such an intensely cinematic sound into a live setting. But City Calm Down break no promises on the first leg of their national tour, an encore of Your Fix and In This Modern Land securing the fact that the Melbourne five are, I would passionately argue, some of Australia’s best.

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Jack Bourke of City Calm Down @ The Tivoli – By Mike Wotton

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Check out Mike Wotton’s full gallery HERE.

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