Live Review: Frente, Maples - Brisbane Powerhouse

In retrospect, 1992 feels like a time when anything was possible, musically at least. Miley's dad had Achy Breaky Heart, TLC were kicking off an illustrious career with Ain't Too Proud To Beg, Nirvana was still riding high on the success of Nevermind, Prince experienced his greatest commercial high since Purple Rain and the likes of Color Me Badd, The KLF, Utah Saints and Mr Big were still a thing. Then came the little Melbourne band that could and conquered the country and flirted with the big time overseas, touring with Alanis Morrisette and Everything But The Girl. Within their short yet incredibly sweet career, a full-length was released called Marvin The Album and the rest is history.

Needless to say, the love can be felt entering the big room at the Powerhouse tonight, as Brisbane comes out to celebrate 21 years of Frente's seminal debut album. First though, Sydney's pint-sized chanteuse Maples, armed with a plethora of gear, a set of hits in the waiting and a simply beautiful voice that floats around the theatre perfectly. With tracks like single, I Have Heart, there isn't much out there like Maples right now – big things to come.

In no time at all, at the polite hour of 8.30pm, Frente appear before the sold-out theatre with a spring in their step and tongues firmly in cheek. From the distinct moment Angie Hart opens her mouth for the opening of Girl, it's clear that Marvin The Album has stood the test of time better than most albums released in 1992. Following an early inclusion of Accidently Kelly Street, guitarist Simon Austin announces they're playing the album from start to finish and “have rules” so no requests are required. That doesn't the stop the audience interaction – there are people shouting compliments for Hart's shoes from the back and indulging general banter exchanges like old friends who haven't hung out in years. The show progresses as the band move through the album – No Time was always a Marvin highlight back in the day and remains top shelf tonight, Austin and Hart trade lines on Cuscatalan, while Pretty Friend shines the light on Hart's vocal, clearly a product of the '90s but still abso-fucking-lutely incredible. Flawless.

Labour Of Love remains as infectious as ever while the outright classic, Ordinary Angels would be on high rotation on the iPods of all if released today. Once the album is played through, the next step is to work through the 1994 EP, Lonely which, of course, spawned possibly their biggest international hit in the jaw-dropping version of New Order's Bizarre Love Triangle. From there, the rules loosened somewhat, covers of Dolly Parton's Here You Come Again and Kate Bush's Hounds Of Love feature as do Sit On My Hands, Horrible and Burning Girl, from their 1994 follow-up album, Shape. At this point, it's hard to believe there is still material left to play yet Frente don't let any setlist nit-pickers spot omissions, yet still managing to squeeze in yet another cover, Carson & Gaile's Somethin' Stupid, rounding out a spectacular and nostalgic night.