As a part of the annual Brisbane festival, The Courier Mail Spiegeltent has taken up residency within King George Square. The Spiegeltent is an intimate venue with a small stage, string lights spiralling down from the ceiling over the crowd and tables named after famous cities from around the world spiral the outside ring of the tent. It can be intimidating taking a seat in such an atmospheric venue in comparison to bobbing up and down on sticky beer soaked floor, but inhibitions towards the strange environment are almost instantly forgotten as Drones front man Gareth Liddiard is tonight’s entertainment as apart of the nightly 7:00pm show.
With a brief introduction over the PA the humble Gareth Liddiard takes to the stage armed only with his acoustic guitar and a water bottle filled with 'tea'. Playing on his introduction with his trademark wit as he tunes his guitar, Liddiard already has won over the audience before the first note of The Collaborator.
Second track and closest thing to a single off Strange Tourist is Blondin Makes an Omelette. The bittersweet tale of 19th century French tightrope walker Charles Blondin, documenting the stunt of which he took on the high wire sopped and cooked an omelette above Niagara Falls. Liddiard's voice is both delicate and harsh on this track as he goes through the motions of the track as the audience eat out of his hand.
Explaining the roots behind Highplains Mailman, it seems universal that no one likes receiving Telstra bills as the crowd hang off his every foul mouthed word and try to avoid having their spleen explode from laughter. Liddiard’s ability to tell stories through his lyrics is captivating as the mood and the atmosphere shines through his work and ability to deliver the songs on stage.
His solo album’s title track and the reason that Liddiard bought his own house, Strange Tourist marks the point where he begins to really use the guitar as he bends his fingers up and down the fret board, giving off the impression that he was a double jointed contortionist in a past life. The driving track leaves the crowd breathless as he sucks the air out of the audience’s lungs while his powerful voice resonates throughout the venue.
The first Drones track getting an airing tonight is Wait Long by the River rocker Shark Fin Blues, a track that has become a staple and adopted a new personality in Liddiard’s solo set. Liddiard still treats the track as a rocker as he howls into the mic from the back of the stage while he tries to tear his acoustic in half and occasionally letting out a kick of his legs out from his stool.
Getting back into his solo album, the ten minute Did She Scare All Your Friends Away marks a perfect follower from Shark Fin Blues as Liddiard delves into themes of self worth/doubt amongst others as he croons the line 'I was a beauty in her youth' in a tale of young love. The diminished chord breakdowns almost act as interludes between the extended verses documenting various points in the tale. Finishing the lengthy track with a look to the side and a tilt of his guitar as with every song tonight the crowd let out a well deserved cheer.
Talking about QLD and voicing what we were all thinking about boisterous QLD politician Bob Katter. Liddiard launches into Gala Mill track I Don't Ever Want to Change. A song that seems to be the least appropriate Drones track for an acoustic interpretation. Ever want to Change rattles the Spiegel tent as Liddiard nearly bursts a blood vessel yelling into his microphone during the chorus. His acoustic shows off just much power as an electric as he fingerpicks through the movements of the track.
A lack of banter proceeds as the colonial themed Brisbane track Sixteen Straws sees the audience ahh and aww as the first drop of Brisbane is mentioned. Halfway through the track a disrespectful “woo” is let out by a narrow minded audience member at the mention of Brisbane, causing the crowd to laugh and eventually Liddiard loses his place in the song as he then marvels at the appeal. Still regaining composure and ignoring the local colour, Liddiard pushes on and delivers one of the more heart felt tracks of the night.
A brief banter session follows as Liddiard is forced to defend himself to a drunken patron arguing about an obscure point on QLD whilst on stage. Shrugging it off with a smile, he launches into the final track of the night, Drones classic, Jezebel. Liddiard's voice is both conflicted and powerful as he bellows for the final time all the while managing skills on guitar that very few professionals could manage. On the final line of 'I would love to see you again' Liddiard thanks the crowd and leaves the stage as a virtuoso and unrivalled talent.
A mix of old and young alike adorned the Spiegeltent tonight and banter of amazement is universal outside. Gareth Liddiard is a rare talent and there truly is no one else like him in the world of music. His simple banter ranged from building a pizza oven that could lead him to quitting music through to showing the crowd why he would not win a fight if forced to ski from an attacker is hilarious and it is hard to believe that the serious depth of his lyrical content is being displayed in the same setting, let alone coming from the same person. While at first it felt awkward to be in the seated environment, the intimacy of the performance supersedes that and makes you feel as if you are in Liddiard's living room with respect (generally) coming as a second sense for everyone in the room. A true icon and one that simply has to be seen to be believed.
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