Live Review: Beach House & Wintercoats

7 January 2013 | 2:06 pm | Adam Wilding

A memorable live performance, expect this show to make an appearance in the 2013 writers’ poll.

More Beach House More Beach House

Early birds were treated to Wintercoats (aka James Wallace of Melbourne), a violin virtuoso whose touring efforts have garnered him a following here in Sydney. Pushed way out front of stage with only a very modest floor space and closed curtain as a backdrop, Wintercoats' intimate music made the room at the Enmore seem smaller. His unique storytelling was delivered via ambient sounds etched in the subconscious – a very well received performance too.

Speaking of music that is embedded in the subconscious, Beach House's sound tends to occupy two areas of the brain: the part reserved for the area between sleeping and dreaming, and the spot reserved for pre-The Goonies 'R' Good Enough Cyndi Lauper/post Digging In The Dirt Peter Gabriel. A sound that on first listen appears to be a minimalist approach belies the fact there's more going on. From texture and timbre to the gloriously surf-laden guitar and visceral vocal arrangements from Alex Scally and the tangle of hair that is Victoria LeGrand, respectively, both of which were in unmatched display on the night, the latter showing why she has one of the most lauded and distinctive vocal styles. Filling in on live drums was Daniel Franz, who lent some backing vocals too, giving a fuller sound. The set concentrated mostly on the band's later albums, 2010's Teen Dream and 2012's Bloom, with the former album's tracks getting more of a response.

The naivety and wide eyes that got the band noticed in the beginning have since been replaced by a self-assuredness that was of particular note at the Enmore on the night and it was clear from the song choices and live display that the band have grown in confidence but have not compromised any creative ability almost nine years on. Walk In The Park triggered a subliminal light display and a rapturous applause from the crowd. The biggest crowd response though was reserved for the whimsical and almost heart-breaking Zebra (the first song on Teen Dream), which drew some yahoos for the first few familiar whimsical chords alone. A memorable live performance, expect this show to make an appearance in the 2013 writers' poll.