Live Review: The Dandy Warhols, The Upsidedown, Sacred Shrines

Dreamy Brisbanites Sacred Shrines kick off proceedings with understated style and unmissable noise. Theirs is a set that is varied and fuelled by natural, relaxed talent – hard rock laced with haze and harmony. The crowd, as it continues to trickle into The Tivoli, quickly put their dancing shoes to good use, cheering with building enthusiasm between each song. Polished and tight, yet psychedelic and experimental, Sacred Shrines prove themselves peers of the acts to come, and a local gem to keep a close eye on.

Portland’s own The Upsidedown start their set with some big sounds, low rumbling vocals and a harmonica; it’s safe to say that this grabs the swelling audience’s attention, and so sets the tone for their set. Tracks such as Elizabeth & Wake Up Drive Thru showcase the incredible combination of their bluesy backings paired with the shoegaze trimmings and those crooning voices driving the audience into a frenzy.

By the time The Dandy Warhols spring on stage, the crowd is at capacity and at the limits of excitement. As lead vocalist Courtney Taylor-Taylor bounces on stage, his double braids bouncing along behind him, the crowd scrambles for any semi-appropriate viewpoint, throwing their hands in the air, screaming manically. They launch into the first of their songs, and it soon becomes clear that this is not necessarily an opportunity for The Dandys to promote a new record, but to play the hits for the fans that have added yet another sold-out tour date to their Australian foray.

The first of the fanatic waves comes in the initial notes of We Used To Be Friends, which goes from hushed vocals and cruisy strums to full power before we know it. It’s amazing just how rapt the crowd is as a whole with the characters on stage, as the audience works as one to create a wave pool of bodies. We proceed forwards with songs that are either highly anticipated or are brilliant reminders of The Dandys’ back catalogue in a welcomed assault of hits; Not If You Were The Last Junkie On Earth, everyone’s favourite Bohemian Like You, Get Off, Horse Pills and, the song that cries for a lone flame swaying overhead, Godless. The crowd is enamoured, taking each other by the hand and slow-dancing on the compacted dancefloor.

Rather than performing for the crowd, the four-piece that is The Dandy Warhols are there with the crowd, having a blast and revelling in music that is solidly good, no matter how much time passes.