I have spent the entire last week, begining/editing/deleting/drafting my lil review, but I just could not seem to pen what I was trying to get across. So I've decided to write a completely honest and basically completely bias review of the night that was Jack Ladder & The Dreamlanders at Newtown Social Club Sydney Thursday 13th November.
Bias is the only word I could think to describe my thoughts as there was no way I was ever going to compose a bad word about this evening, even before I’d arrived I knew this was going to be a special lil evening, and woah boy did this shit move me I’ll tell you that for free.
So ‘ere we go - my bias honesty (rant if you will) of what a delish gig this was…
Opening with the lead track ‘Come on Back this Way’ from their recent and 4th album Playmates, the guys set the bar high for the rest of the set. Each man on stage had a presence about him and you could not have had one man without the other. It goes without say that Jack Ladder is enigmatic and I struggled to tear my ears of him let alone focus on anything else than his distinctive deep voice.
For me Jack Ladder & The dreamlanders are addictive and encompass so much of what makes Australian music so special. Kim Moyes was on board from The Presets to produce this latest release, the pub rock, broken love, mixed with 80s synth is a complete reflection of the direction that Australian music is taking - where indie meets electronic in a relationship that is proving to be thankfully sticking around.
I can honestly go on of how each track seemed to be taking each member on stage on an emotional journey served with a side of dark humour which was welcomed by the beer clad crowd. This is because these guys really do believe in every beat and word of each track, you can see and more importantly feel it, basically JL & D have got this shit sorted.
"I’m going to take this back in time now…I don't think there will be any complaints", as Jack Ladder growled these words, he then paused looked at his boys on stage and boom, the alluring riff to 2011’s ‘Cold Feet’ begun. Well, my oh my was this a moment, you would have to be a soulless cucumber if you don't appreciate the heartbreak of this all-round timeless track and tonight was a beyond special experience. One that I will not be soon to forget, and no there weren't any complaints.
The boys continued to capture the entire crowd and it was the first gig in years where you could feel that every single person wanted to be there as much as the next.
As the set came to a close, and the sweaty suited and lycra clad men came back on stage for an encore with ‘The Barbers Son’ from 2008’s Love is Gone, was delivered to a crowd that reflected sadness that it was over, but oh so glad that it had happened.
Jack’s back, and arent we so thankful its true.
Catch Jack Ladder & The Dreamlanders this Sunday at Sunday City Limits @ Vic On The Park w/ Jack Ladder, The Harpoons, Milwaukee Banks & KUČKA
This bloody brilliant photo was from: Noisey
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