Hordern Pavilion, Sydney
Saturday March 10, 2018 :
The seasoned performers, INCUBUS, did not disappoint on Saturday night in front of a full Hordern Pavilion crowd.
Opening the night, Ecca Vandal got the atmosphere pumping. Lead vocalist was quirky and energetic and the crowd moved with her. With a great depth in their sound, it was hard to not fall into the rhythm with them.
The break felt like it took so long between bands, but when the lights went out the crowd roared with excitement. A mellow opening with the track ‘Love in a Time of Surveillance’, where it showcased Brandon’s vocales which were absolutely crisp.
Without a doubt, Incubus are one of those bands that sound just as good live, as they do in their recordings. During the song ‘Nimble Bastard’, the light show was really noticeable, as it moved and changed with the beat of the song.
‘Anna Molly’ got both the band and the crowd moving more, relaxed into their set now they were in their groove. The way they move together and the chemistry on stage really shows for their years of playing and touring together.
The crowd really seemed to interact more with the songs they knew, which were more from the older catalogue of songs played, like ‘Megalomaniac’, ‘Wish You Were Here’, ‘Pantomime’ and ‘Pardon Me’.
‘Pantomime’ was the big song of the set, opening with just Brandon’s vocals and on guitar, the build up to the band joining in moved through the crowd and you felt it on a different level. As the set progressed, Incubus just didn’t falter.
Throughout the set the instrumental breaks could be described as nothing other than charming. Really showcasing the skill and strength of each of the band members, as individuals coming together as a whole.
Two covers were featured in the set, with Pink Floyd’s’Wish You Were Here’, and INXS’s ‘Need You Tonight’. The reception for both songs from the crowd was unanimously excited.
There’s nothing quite like a crowd wanting an encore and the acoustics in the Hordern seemed to magnify them. Ending big on ‘Drive’. the screams of joy, followed by the room singing along left goose bumps up the arms. The change of arrangement was striking, the a Capella beginning featuring Brandon and the crowd, to the build up of the band and the slightly changed delivery of the lyrics really gave this show an ending to remember.
Reviewer : Courtney Fitzsimmons
Photographer : Kieth Abigail
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