Little Red

Within moments of taking to the stage, it becomes apparent that Ground Components are the perfect party band to get the room warmed up. Giving a technically tight but not at all clinical performance, it somehow still feels raw. It’s dirty, it’s honest and it’s layered brilliantly. Each track seems to sit somewhere different, but each is in its own right big and full sounding. I think it’d be a challenge even for the most ADD kids to grow tired while listening. There are suggestions of ska, R&B, punk, surf, and straight up rock in their sound… I could rattle off another half a dozen different genres here and not really miss the mark. The vocals are delivered with the kind of commitment, integrity and urgency that you’d expect from a preacher man. But then with the next track the role has been reversed and their sound is more like that of a wailing, vulnerable confession. And all this delivered by Joe McGuigan, with the eyes of a man possessed.

This is not a band you can watch sitting down, but that’s exactly how Ground Components’ guitarist spent his night; reclining in an arm chair. Having broken his leg the night before in Ballarat in some crazy after show shenanigans, he hobbled on stage with crutches, propped his leg up and grinned through gritted teeth for the duration of the set. Now that’s commitment. Side note: props too for the effort in getting skinny jeans over one mofo of a cast. It was a refreshing set. Ground Components deliver on sound and performance, without any ego stroking or pretension. If you've not yet seen them, then it's simple; see them. You’ll feel like you’ve just witnessed something special, and you will have. Just don’t go expecting a quiet, average, sedate night. Ground Components don’t do ‘average’.

And onto Little Red. It’s a strange feeling seeing one of your favourite bands succeed. Sure it’s great, they’re getting their music out there, expanding their fan base and whatnot. But I can’t help thinking back to the days when the Reds played an intimate twenty capacity venue and when Taka’s hair was bleach free. These days, or on this particular night, I couldn’t help but stare down the girls next to me who were taking photos of themselves for the entirety of the set. Shame on you, photo girls. Shame on you. That aside, Little Red were amazing. Long gone is the struggling unknown five piece. These boys are now huge, huge I tells ya! Many international acts fail to fill out midsized venues but it was a sold out Hifi show for these Melbournites.

People were there from all over the shop - from the young hipsters to the odd man in a business suit (hello if you’re reading). But despite all the hype that lured these young’uns through the door, I’m always reluctant to catch the last leg of a tour with fears of seeing nothing but sloppiness on stage. Not this time though, their set was toight like a toiger front to back. Opening with the soul lifting Fight Song, it was easy to get the crowd jiving to their sweet, harmonious, harmonising harmonies.

Even support acts Ground Components and Young Lovers were overtly bumping and grinding side stage. Punters proudly sang along to popular tracks Witchdoctor, Waiting and Misty, I – thanks to regular airplay on Triple J – knowing that this would be their last gig until Summer. New songs from their upcoming album were shown off too and the whole room listened in silence, savouring every word. Jackie Cooper was a real ripper. Tom Hartney did his bit with some good old call and response. He had the girls promiscuously swaying their hips while the boys were forced to hold them back. They sure ran amuck on stage, sharing mics and instruments and eventually inviting fellow friends Ground Components on stage for a magical collaboration on It’s Alright. It sure was madness. And have you ever seen a man make love to his guitar? Two words: Dominic Byrne. Dear Lord it was a sight to be seen. The crowd’s reception was somewhat reminiscent of the infamous When Harry Met Sally scene where... you know. Only this time, everyone in the room was Meg Ryan. I’ll have what she’s having indeed!

The boys encored with Cry Cry and ended predictably with their crowd pleasing FM hit Coca Cola, leaving us ever so satisfied but still wanting more. As advertised, the tour was their last for a while. They’ll be taking some time off to get their creative juices flowing and continue writing new material for their next release. We eagerly await your return. Anytime Little Red, anytime.

Photo by Alain Bouvier.

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