Music

Review: Falling Joys And The Clouds Work Up A Beautiful Storm

What a master stroke to have not only one of the great Australian bands to come out of the 90’s Adelaide but two performing on the same bill at The Gov. Indie/Alternative legends Falling Joys and The Clouds (on their ‘Beautiful Nothingness’ tour) were both stellar on Sunday night, delivering a double dose of the magic that took them to the forefront of Australian Indie music in the 90’s and beyond.

Arriving a bit later than usual, we caught the last few songs from Adelaide’s Attila My Honey, who were sounding great as the crowd streamed in. Keep an eye out for these guys, they’re worth a listen.

Reforming in 2011 after a 15 year hiatus, Falling Joys under the lead of Suzie Higgie hadn’t lost a beat as they worked through their repertoire with ease. For a band that only released 3 studio albums, they did well enough to turn out a bunch of recognisable songs with great hooks and melodies. They were great to see again after catching them in the 90’s, and it was a treat when they invited their ‘besties’, Jodi & Trish from the Clouds to join them on stage for A Winter’s Tale and Lock It. To have all 3 gorgeous voices one the one stage was pure bliss!

The memories that their songs evoke are of more innocent and carefree times, with most of us in the crowd being Generation X’ers that witnessed the first of the Big Day Out Festivals, who have become the very people we used to rebel against. Oh the joy of ageing, but at least we witnessed a great period in Aussie music!

Finishing with Black Bandages from Psychohum (1992), the Joys were fantastic and had the adoring crowd on their feet dancing throughout their set.

The Clouds lifted the bar even higher, and if anyone knows how to perfect vocal harmonies it is Jodi Phillis and Trish Young. I hate to cliche’ but their voices have aged like fine wine and were ‘on fleek’. David Easton (guitar) and Raphael Whittingham (drums) were tight and well honed, never dropping guard but vigilantly remaining faithful to the songs, which were magnificent. Trish’s intermittent mum jokes were probably the only less than amazing aspect to the show, but let’s face it, this is how The Clouds get intimate with their audience and we love them all the more for it.

Playing a mixture of the old and new, The Clouds have plenty left in the tank and it would be great to see more of them- the way they blend their vocals is ethereal and unique, and they managed to perfect songwriting to a tee. The current lineup are brilliant together, so please keep touring!

Dazz Hassan

 

 

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