Venue:
Melbourne Recital Hall
Date: 12/02/2015
The Necks play Melbourne each February. Usually it is stinking hot and they usually do 5 shows in a row in the sticky carpet rock dog Corner Hotel with chairs brought in. This concert was at the acoustically sumptuous and far more comfortable Recital Hall. Much more appropriate.
Early arrival and gen adm tix ( more on this later) had us 3 rows from the stage right in front of Tony Buck, the drummer. They have been doing these improvised shows for 28 years with one band member starting off with a particular rhythm, playing it repeatedly till the others join in and see where it leads. The pianist Chris Abrahams starts with an almost percussive motif before upright bassist Lloyd Swanton joined in with single plucks for what seemed like an eternity then in comes Buck and we are off. On and on it goes , particular patterns repeatedly for extended periods before someone takes it some where else. Sitting in front of Buck i was particularly impressed with his creativity. No arms flailing just an endless flow of interesting rhythms supplemented by various percussive instruments. My arms started to twitch, going out in sympathy at watching how long he was holding onto the same physical movement as a particular groove was mined for all it was worth .
Interval comes and they’ve earned it.
I stayed in my seat which was handy as interlopers came down looking for a better spot. I saw them off but others in front of us returned to “their seats” to find 3 twentysomethings seated there and refusing to move. It’s general admission the woman quietly insisted. The ushers and all around suggested this was very poor form and that people were entitled to return to their same seats after interval. This went on for a good 5 or more minutes delaying resumption as the crowd around catcalled them and let them know that this was not on. Eventually with security arriving and the offer of seats on the side they relented. Remarkable front, though when I recounted this to Mrs Wells she insisted “they are gen adm tickets -tough luck”. I was appalled once more.
OOAA of course but they’d be wrong.
So on to part 2 with Swanton opening the batting, plucking alternating with bow work but not long notes just short singular strokes befitting the overall percussive style of much of their work.
More of the same i guess , more of the wonderful captivating almost exciting same.
The show ended without an encore – unsurprisingly.
The audience:
Wide range of people in terms of age ,clothing . Both genders equally represented.
It made me think..
What pressure every time you walk on stage! No old favourites to fall back on, no guaranteed crowdpleasers. The inspiration has to come – it just has to …we’re on stage and everyone is waiting. I couldn’t do it but they sure can
Sounds great, Junior. I’d love to see them. But, is there any real advantage to being nearer the front? Is there really that much to ‘see’?
Plus, was Mousey there?
Mousey is a Sydney-sider so dont think so.
Good point re position Tigger. I did think about sitting in the middle to let the sound wash over us but when up close seats present themselves it is hard to say no. Plus there were bassists, keyboardists and drummers in our party and they always like to see the action.
And being so close to Tony Buck had me really appreciating his work.
I was thinking of those people who decided to move closer. What advantage did they think they would gain at a Necks gig?
Probably thought like I did ,except the seats weren’t presented to them by being early.
I saw them in London last year. Unique. I’d recommend them to anyone at least once in your life.
Couldn’t go frequently but once a year
, which is how often they tour here, is fine.
I recommend the album Silverwater which a few more affects than is normal plus a sublime swelling organ ( cue Moose) that comes in after ever so long.
Aah typos and auto spell check what to do, what to do.