Interpol

If you were dining about the inner city on Tuesday night and were wondering where all the cool kids were, they were at the Enmore.

It is a well know fact that the essence of ‘coolness’ lies with an Interpol crowd. Why? Because the music lures the 'intellectual alternative’. However, an imposter fan of Interpol can always be unmasked when they announce that they LOVE the band, but when prompted only know the song EVIL (You know…the clip with the car crash and puppet). Be on alert!

Tonight, Interpol was supported by local Sydney band Bridezilla.

It must be said that Bridezilla do not categorically fall into one genre of music. A little bit Goth, a tad folk, with a wad of grunge; they elusively combine the instruments of saxophone, violin, keyboard, drums and vocals. However, all want to be the focal point. Thus, their sound can sometimes play as if in between radio stations on the FM dial.

With quite a bit of local buzz under their belt during the last year, this sound has in fact proven intriguing to gig goers. The theatre tonight was almost at capacity when Bridezilla entered the stage, and their musical arrangement was quite the crowd pleaser for the first few songs. With their ghostly lyricist, intensified violinist and oozing saxophonist, they played as if they were ready to escort you into the afterlife. A qualified ensemble to play the last moments of the Titanic maybe, or most certainly before you summon Beetlejuice.

However, the repetition of material ensured that the remainder of the set played like a Glee mash-up of Julee Cruise, Evanescence and The Corrs. Mr Shue not present.

I am not sure if there were many there tonight losing their Interpol virginity, with several conversations heard discussing the cathartic experience of Interpol gigs of yesteryear. Thus proving fans were not only cool, but loyal as well. The benchmark was raised.

With the notable absence of Carlos D in the line-up, it was obvious from the start that a re-acquaintance was in order. However there was no interaction of a first date. It may have been the combined ‘coolness’ factor of band and crowd alike, but there was no rowdy applause for the band’s entrance. It was more like a head nod and ‘hey’ greeting. If only we could smoke cigarettes in the theatre and wear dark sunglasses we’d all excrete more coolness than a beatnik.

The heavy backlighting of the stage ensured a cast of silhouettes that opened the set with the track Success of their latest and self-titled album. With only five songs in total from this album appearing in tonight’s performance, the band was gracious enough to know that it is their deep catalogue that draws the crowd. Billy Corgan, take note.

Tonight, Interpol’s stage presence was adequate, but on occasion rather comatose inspired. With barely a foot-tap from front man Paul Banks, the crowd were on the most part kept on a leash. Interpol do not aim to provide a flamboyant stage show by any means, but it should be noted that there was certainly a lack of connectivity between the stage and floor during the first half of the performance. And the usual formality of a 'crowd gone wild' was not on the cards.

The dominance of Bank’s baritone to many is Interpol’s drawcard. It is almost hypnotising in nature and is designed to lure you like a moth to a flame. Tonight however, it was on several times drowned out by a wall of reverb, leaving the highly emotive lyrics unable to fully reach their destination. Though, this not a fault of the band, it was notably missed.

Highlights of the set tonight were Rest my Chemistry, which commanded a dominating crowd presence leading solidly into Evil (in which a mini-mosh became present – yay!). The Heinrich Manoeuvre too became the crowd pleaser provoking a sing-a-long, and Memory Serves provided a refreshing and renewed energy.

Ultimately however, the wow factor that has adrenalised the Australian audience on past tours seemed to be left on the CD shelf with their previous albums. That jaw dropping experience from Splendour in the Grass festivals was not to be relived tonight, and I am left wondering if the god-like performance I was expecting was to be a little unfair and presumptuous. After all, they are in fact mere mortal. Aren't they?

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