.

.

SLY WITHERS
+ Columbus + Semantics
@ Jive Bar Adelaide
6th May 2021
(Live Review)

Reviewer  – Kayla Hamilton

Photographer – Kay Cann

.

Sly Withers

.

It was a tour almost two years in the making, but finally, Sly Withers was able to kick off their Australian wide tour this week. Starting with two shows at iconic Adelaide establishment Jive, West Australian Indie punk darlings Sly Withers well and truly gave the Adelaide gig-goers a show worth the wait.

Before we talk about the main event though, we cannot discuss this show without giving space to the two bands that Sly Withers had brought along with them: Semantics and Columbus. Semantics was a fantastic choice to open the show. With their infectious and fun punk rock, that you cannot help but get hyped too. Their first time in Adelaide put over a great impression- and the crowd gave the energy right back to them. A set that was fast-paced and energetic, they had the punters well and truly moving. Hopefully, this will be the first of many times that we get to see Semantics here in little old Adelaide.

After a killer set by Semantics, the enthusiastic Columbus took the stage. The members of Columbus made the trip from three different cities, with bass player Lauren having a hell of a trek even making it to the venue. Despite the challenges, the show they put on just screamed of three musicians having the time of their life on stage. We cannot talk about this set without mentioning that the band played their new single ‘Pain is a Mirror’ for the first time altogether in front of an excited Adelaide audience. Truly a band full of charisma and with the talent to sing about those painful subjects, without losing that fun pop-punk feel that they exude- they were the perfect choice for this tour.

.

Sly Withers

.

Columbus

.

Semantics

.

Onto the headliners though, the sold-out crowd at Jive was well and truly hyped up and ready for Sly Withers to take the stage. Walking out to the classic, ‘Take Me Home, Country Roads’ the crowd was already singing along. Playing their first show outside WA since December 2019, it felt like Sly Withers barely missed a beat. Right from their first song, the tightness of this band hit the crowd with a wall of sound that seeped right into your veins. Vocals you can’t help sing along with, guitar tones that would make any guitarist envious and a rhythm section that meant you could make even the most stoic concert goer move – Sly Withers were on fire. They had the crowd eating out the palm of their hand. Beers in the air, headbanging, dancing, moshing- it felt like live shows have well and truly returned in the city of Adelaide. Giving us a taste of the new album coming out in June as well as entertaining the crowd with their absolute bangers like Check Out and Lately. Sly Withers showed why they are selling out shows around the country.

It is worth mentioning that this review is from the early show, as soon as the venue cleared, another show was starting. Pulling back-to-back shows is never an easy feat, but it is appreciated since there is a limited capacity. If this tour is hitting a city near you and by some miracle, there are still tickets available, better get on it! It won’t be long till these bands are going to be on bigger stages.

.

Sly Withers

.

Sly Withers

.

Sly Withers

.

Check out Kay Cann’s gallery of this show HERE

.

Follow SLY WITHERS
website – facebook – instagram – twitter

.

COLUMBUS – Facebook

.

SEMANTICS – Facebook

.

AMNPLIFY – DB