Live Review: Tracksuit, The Sun Orchestra, The Morning Night

The considerable number of punters who braved the mild and rainy weather of Saturday night to come see Tracksuit and friends (let's face it – it's Perth and people are scared by the slightest suggestion of 'cold and wet') were regaled with world-class music, flowing ale and a downright gluttonous helping of good times. First on the bill was the enchanting and charmingly timid Helen Shanahan, who played an engaging collection of her own tunes, all of which were wonderfully written and performed. Helen finished with a bluesy number titled Patience, which the audience applauded heartily at the end. The Sun Orchestra were up second as a stripped-back manifestation of their full band, playing part of their set as a duo and then with the addition of ukulele. The Morning Night preceded the headliners and played a notably strong set of progressive, layered and atmospheric indie rock tunes.

“Guten tag, welcome to our sexy party!” Tracksuit frontman Steve Hensby announced with a flick of his hair and a hand in the air; and it was time for the men of the hour to melt some faces. The three-piece immediately launched into Sing For Your Soul, a wailing number laced with rockabilly influences, and the sonic magnitude of that song set the bar for the evening. It has been said that three-piece bands are easier to manage than those of greater number, but a drawback is that it's harder to fill out the sound. This is certainly not the case with Tracksuit – with the doppelgäng (twins Trav and Jay Leggett) providing a formidable rhythm section and flawless harmonies, the lads had no trouble making it sound huge. Joined temporarily by Ricki Malet on trumpet for Shining Star and Ballad Of A Skinny Man, by Rosie Atterton for Velvet Road and climaxing to a You Am I-influenced Classy Girl, the performance had almost drawn to a close. However, not before the boys snuck in their own version of Monty Python's Sit On My Face. A sexy party indeed!