Live Review: Dubhouse

The concept may be curious – reggae renditions of Icehouse hits plus a few well-placed covers – but the atmosphere inside The Espy's Gershwin Room proves DubHOUSE tickles a lot of fancies. As these treasured pop songs from the '80s roll out – such as Great Southern Land, Crazy and Can't Help Myself – there are frequent raised eyebrows and exchanged observations: “It works!” Additional vocalists and a horn section onstage add vibrancy. As much as it's a firm fan favourite, Electric Blue leaves this reviewer cold so it's an excellent opportunity to take a toilet break.   
In promotional material for these shows, Iva Davies admitted that ever since he observed Peter Tosh (The Wailers) playing guitar he's harboured a secret desire to be the “chukka-chukka man” and his reggae guitar playing tonight definitely impresses. Ditto Paul Gildea, who even draws blood and sustains a finger injury. Gildea's bandmates suggest he requires a “rock'n'roll bandaid”, which is “spit and Gaffer”, apparently. He leaves the stage for some first aid amid Davies teasing that these are great lengths to go to in order to head backstage for a spliff. When the next song finishes and there's still no sign of Gildea, Davies jests, “He's onto his second one by now.” Covers are interspersed with segments of Icehouse originals, as with Buffalo Soldier and Street Café (written on the setlist as “Buffalo Street”), and the effect is breathtaking. Eyeballs bulge out of heads as we dance while flabbergasted. The musicians onstage are having a ball and their enthusiasm is easily matched by the crowd.  
Davies is in fine form tonight, those blue eyes twinkling as he adopts a Jamaican accent: “I wrote this one in my ute... Holden Econovan.” The most requested song of the evening (although it may have been the same guy yelling out for it) is Sister. Israelites suddenly invades Sister then DubHOUSE go back and forth with these two songs that work brilliantly together. Everything Icehouse do these days is presented with a healthy sense of humour and Nothing Too Serious is a fitting encore. They joke that “Countryhouse” is next on the agenda. Good news for those who didn't make it along: Tonight's show was recorded for a forthcoming live album and will make a cracking addition to Icehouse's catalogue.