Live Review: The Whitlams, West Australian Symphony Orchestra

Not too long ago at this very Perth Concert Hall, it was The Waifs' turn to celebrate 25 years together as a nomadic cohort. Last night hosted another great Australian staple in The Whitlams, as Tim Freedman paid tribute to his quarter-century involvement in a band that was perhaps just a little too enamoured with a particular former Prime Minister*. Joining them was the rather sharp looking West Australian Symphony Orchestra, led by Guy Noble: a man who looked born ready for such a role.

The three outrageously happy songs that comprise the Charlie suite from Eternal Nightcap were first cabs off the rank, although playing them straight away, in sequential order, and a little too goddamn fast, holy shit slow the hell DOWN, Tim...

... Sorry.

Look, nobody - especially a band so established and essential to the Australian musical landscape - wants to be read the Riot Act, but artists from Radiohead to Fleetwood Mac have all been guilty of the same crime of pumping up the BPM of each song they play live. Someone worse than your reviewer would say it smacks of ingratitude and boredom, however it could well be that the intricacies of playing with an enormous symphony orchestra behind you make that job just a tad more difficult than it ordinarily would be, so, we can forgive The Whitlams a transgression this once.

That aside, so many classics paired superbly with the orchestral arrangements. Initial standout The Curse Stops Here left Freedman alone with only the sorrowful accompaniment of the string section to help tell the story of a dear but troubled friend. It was a tear-jerker that, more than usual, laid the famous lyricist's deep affection and unwavering loyalty to those closest to him completely bare - even if the timpani guy had nothing to do during the entire song but chew gum and look indifferent.

The percussion section was a particular treat to watch as no fewer than eleventy billion different instruments were left to the command of precisely two people. The brass and string sections gave new life to No Aphrodisiac and even I Make Hamburgers, and as Gough ultimately brought the house down, The Whitlams had made an impressive "tl;dr" of a distinguished 25 years.

* Gough Whitlam, for kids and thickos.