The Smith Street Band @ Metro City, Perth - 09/06/2017

In conjunction with the release of their fourth album ‘More Scared Of You Than You Are Of Me,’ The Smith Street Band did a run of shows to share their new material with their Australian fans. These Melbourne punk poets have been gracing our ears with their folk-infused sound. With the raw sounds of supporting acts Joyce Manor, Ceres and Alison Weiss, along with new members Jess Locke and Lucy Wilson the ‘More Scared Of You Than You Are Of Me’ tour was set to wow all fans.
 
I endured the sticky floors and tight security of metro city to gain access to one of the best live acts to emerge from Australia in recent years. The Smith Street Band brought a massive crowd to what front man Wagner described as ‘Perth Thunder Dome,’ with all tiers of the venue packed with loving fans, the curtain dropped and the show began with a bang. Instantly The Smith Street Band connected with their crowd, everyone was singing along with Gusto and dancing from the get-go. Performances of ‘Ducks Fly Together’ and ‘I Don’t Wanna Die Anymore,’ amongst many other great tracks throughout the night created an undeniable energy and relationship between artist and fan. This connection is clear at all of their gigs and is what keeps me coming back for more every time I get the chance.
 
The Smith Street Band are known for their upfront, very real lyrics and when Wagner emerged from backstage to begin the encore he began to humbly discuss the meaning behind the album and the following song ‘Laughing, Or Pretending To Laugh,’ as he signs a fan's copy of ‘More Scared Of You Than You Are Of Me.’ The encore then consisted of The Smith Street Band’s first ever song ‘Sigourney Weaver,’ a song Wagner feels honoured to have played all over the world, ‘Throw Me in the River’ and to close the night a simple ‘thank you, get home safe.’

Review/Photography - Kyle Hodson
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