Bluejuice

Talk about a completely weird choice of support act. Hitting Melbourne on their Head of the Hawk album launch, Sydney funk/hip-hoppers Bluejuice might have been hit in the head (and who would be surprised) when they picked The Motifs to open their stage at the Corner Hotel. Not that there’s anything wrong with the band, it’s just bizarre how quiet indie darlings such as these ever seemed to suit. Still, they played a nice set before a restless crowd, mixing a variety of keyboard sounds and sweet vocals (and, unfortunately, feedback spikes that result when you use old Casios) that would be a lot more appropriate in the quainter venues of North Melbourne.

Picking up the pace a little, though still somewhat of an interesting choice, were the staple support of the tour, The Jezabels. The crowd seemed to get into their set quite quickly, though songs that each lasted about five minutes became a drain by the set’s end, so much so that when Hayley Mary stated in their second last song they would jam for a bit, it all seemed like a bit of a threat. Still, Mary’s vocal range made for one hell of an impressive display (certainly the highlight of the band), as she danced away to their lengthy pop numbers.

Bluejuice love Melbourne and the city in turn loves them a lot too, which would probably explain why this Corner crowd was (apparently) the biggest one of the tour thus far. Appearing beside one another as the curtain was drawn, Jake and Stav cut straight to the chase, introducing their latest release via its title track, Head of the Hawk, complete with loud “Way-Oh!” call and response with the crowd. Sticking to their microphone stands was of course a delusion and before you knew it, the crazy pair had begun to bend the crowd to their will, releasing an energy that could well have been powering the whole of Swan Street.

When I say bend to their will, it’s more a matter of “being obnoxious = exciting the crowd”. Whilst anyone not familiar with the pair’s boisterous performances might be offended by having wine spat over them or getting figuratively punched in the ear as Jake throws his microphone into the floor, those in the Corner were more than happy to join in the mischief. There was a serious mosh pit as Bluejuice rampaged through their tracks, new and old – the show proving to be a collaborative event between band and audience.

Indulging in the attention, Bluejuice did take advantage of their packed house to plug a bit of new material, with fresh tracks cropping up here and there. It was the familiar stuff that was obviously going to win people over though, with the sinister Medication, ironically danceable Broken Leg, massive sing along of (Ain’t) Telling the Truth and the always ecstatic Vitriol standing out.

Jake and Stav spent about as much time on the barrier as they did on stage, revving up the rowdier punters down front by getting up close and personal. During Hunnamunnafeeb, Jake actually sang several verses whilst hoisted up above eager arms. “It’s the most fun we’ve ever had in Melbourne because you give a shit,” commented Stav rather excitedly. That seemed certainly the case, too, as the pair run amok through final tracks Facelift and The Reductionist, making it very clear they weren’t doing an encore to ensure maximum unruly behaviour to end the night.

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