KJ Sawka of Pendulum @ Metro City – By Karen Lowe

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There is something so powerful about music that it has the ability to bring people of different backgrounds and different generations together and have them all talking excitedly about the night to come and on Saturday night, it was Pendulum that brought young and old together at Metro City for their first live tour in Australia in 8 years.

There was a definitive buzz of excitement suspended in the air as everyone waited in the Soda Pop pop-up bar to be let into the venue and as strangers became familiar as people were chatting about whether they had seen Pendulum before or whether it was their first time.

With such a highly anticipated show, it’s always a worry to fans who the support act will be. Will they be worthy of such a spot? Or will it feel like they were chosen only to make the main act look even better? In this case, however, we needn’t have worried.

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Earthlings @ Metro City – By Karen Lowe

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Brisbane duo Earthlings were chosen to open the night’s proceedings and what a great act to do so! They were so full of energy, jumping around constantly and all while one of them did so with a broken arm. They played songs like Blister In The Sun (Violent Femmes), Beastie Boys’ Intergalactic mixed in with House of Pain’s Jump Around – all while throwing and kicking beach balls into the audience. “Oh! You were SO close to fucking up my beer! Who did that?” came the almost surprised (yet impressed) comment as a beach ball came flying back at them.

What was surprising about them as well is rather than playing the actual songs, they sang the songs which was definitely impressive and they really know how to put on a performance. While not a lot of people knew who Earthlings were before the show, they certainly left the stage with a new fan base after that performance.

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Rob Swire of Pendulum @ Metro City – By Karen Lowe

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By now, the venue was practically pulsating with energy, anticipation, good vibes and excitement as we waited for Pendulum to come out on stage. They left us hanging with a bit of a late start but all was forgiven the second they walked out and it was certainly all forgotten with the first note that was played.

They started their set with Salt In The Wounds and the crowd went wild. You could feel the bass and the crowd jumping up and down from the very floor beneath our feet and leading straight up into your body. “Look at my beautiful city! It’s fucking great to be back in Australia! I’ve got a vocal infection. Can you help me out with the vocals?” Rob Swire asked the audience as they started with Witchcraft and effectively turning up the dial from its already maxed out position at 10.

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Peredur ap Gwynedd of Pendulum @ Metro City – By Karen Lowe

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They also played Blood Sugar, Granite, The Island Pt 1 AND The Island Pt 2. “Once again sing it as loud as you fucking can Perth!” Swire said. “We need your help again. We have struggling old man voices and we need young Perthites to help out on this.” Looking around the venue, there was not one person standing still and even those who had seats on the balcony were dancing in their chairs.

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Gareth McGrillen of Pendulum @ Metro City – By Karen Lowe

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“Usually, if my voice was this fucked, I wouldn’t play this song but fuck it. It’s about this place anyway.” As he started singing 9000 Miles, the strain in his voice was clear. They also played Propane Nightmares (which predictably went OFF), Midnight Runner and “something from the other band, Knife Party” Begin Again and getting everyone to sit before jumping up when the bass dropped. “Metro City Perth! We have two songs left but if you are good…” they promised before playing Tarantula. “This is technically our last song and the first song we played live in Perth.” as they ended with Hold Your Colour.

They came back out after a quick break. “We were born here. We grew up here! This is for the over-30s!” as they played the one and only ABC News remix and the crowd ate it up. Even the under-30s who probably never even witnessed the original. They ended the night with Water Colour. “Perth! We love you SO fucking much! For the last time, MAKE SOME NOISE!”

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Pendulum @ Metro City – By Karen Lowe

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The last time that most of us who had the privilege of seeing Pendulum live before was at an all-ages show at HBF Stadium (aka Challenge Stadium) and we thought that show was good. As someone who has been lucky enough to see Pendulum four times now, I can tell you that this was the best show of theirs that I have seen. Judging by the massive grins on the faces around me and the desperate rush to get upstairs and be part of the after-party on the roof, I was not the only one who felt that way.

They may complain about their ‘old man voices’ but they have only gotten better with age. Let’s hope that this tour gets them excited about Pendulum again and that not only will we get new music soon but that they won’t stop touring. Thanks for the trip down memory lane boys and we hope to see you again real soon!

10/10

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KJ Sawka of Pendulum @ Metro City – By Karen Lowe

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Check out Karen Lowe’s gallery of this PENDULUM event HERE!

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AMNPLIFY – GD