Live Review: The Autumn Isles, Davey Craddock & The Spectacles, John Matyr's Ghost, Dan Durack - The Bird

The clouds had all but gone and the air outside was bitterly cold as a result, but inside the William Street Bird, the air was nice and toasty, warmed up by bodies and heating and fervent musicianship. A perfect night for The Autumn Isles to launch their latest single, Harvest In The Night, the audience was abundant and well supplied and the music was at its absolute A-game.

First on the bill was Dan Durack of Tenderhooks playing a solo set, armed with but a guitar and his smoky voice. Durack’s set eased everyone into the vibe of the night, opening by sitting down at the mic, immediately and effortlessly commanding attention and yet making light of it by insisting that one hushed audience member continue their conversation. “No, no! Finish that anecdote!” Durack quietly teased before he launched into his first song.

Had John Martyr’s Ghost begun their set in their full amalgamation, it might have been different, but frontman John Martyr came out on his own, performing two pieces on his Fender before being joined by “The Ghost”, ensuring a gradual and well transitioned sonic progression through the set. Joined by Ethan Darnell on drums, the band performed as though he was a permanent fixture – a tight unit that only musicians deeply familiar with one another can be.

Cascading in with a classic vibe and a wicked swing, Davey Craddock & The Spectacles delivered a raucous set of soulful country-rock reminiscent of Jackson Browne, The Eagles or The Byrds and captivated attention with stories like that one about morning sickness on the Bibbulmun Track and heartfelt lyrics to match. Finishing with a cover of Bob Dylan & The Band’s I Shall Be Released, they had a new fan in this reviewer.

At long last, the band of the evening began their old school pop-laden set with the huge sound that the almost-ten-year-old (!!) six-piece has been known for making. With enviable and humbling three-part harmonies up front on stage, and a solid, heavily involved rhythm section in the back, The Autumn Isles delivered a cacophonous and marvellous final punch to the evening, featuring bountiful percussion courtesy Victoria Marmion when she wasn’t playing acoustic guitar, trebly guitar with tasteful and sparing effects from both Arpino and Silvestri, and downright apocalyptic drumming from Russell Loasby, one of whose featured moments was surrounded by feedback loops, effects tweaking and general raucousness.

Finishing with the song Fire Away, off their previous release and debut album, Kaleidoscopes, the Isles reminded everyone what they had accomplished so far, and what we’re sure to be treated to in the near future. Harvest In The Night is but a taste of things to come, and it warms the palette nicely.