Live Review: Augie March

Playing the very civilised time of 1pm on a Saturday afternoon in Hobart, you might imagine a subdued-afternoon-tea vibe from this Augie March show. Subdued, however, is not the Dark Mofo way. 

Lead vocalist Glenn Richards admitted that, like many of us, he was pretending not to be sick during this performance. For the most part, it didn’t show. The effortless style of this rockabilly-meets-Jeff-Buckley band is a masterclass in how to sound polished but not perfect. All-but-forgotten classics such as The Hole In Your Roof and This Train Will Be Taking No Passengers had the audience captivated and instantly transported to a simpler time in life without smartphones and social media. 

Richards’ voice is subtle in its beauty and elegance. He delivers songs that warm you to your bones on even the coldest of winter afternoons. Now residing in Tasmania, Richards acknowledged that playing the song The Slant was an attempt to woo the Hobart locals with its references to Huon Pine and the town’s convict past. He claimed, “It is well known amongst Melbourne rock bands that if you knock over Tassie you knock over the world.”

Augie March @ Odeon Theatre. Photos by Rhys Anderson.

Knock us over they did. The newer songs intrigued older fans and showed how they have consistently written charming songs over a career that has spanned more than 20 years. Their most popular tune, One Crowded Hour, did not disappoint and had the audience singing along loudly in unison. 

Richards was a little surprised by the success of an afternoon gig in Hobart in a dark and gloomy theatre. He disclosed, “When someone suggested I play a Tassie gig, I thought I can’t even get a table of three or four people to have a drink with me.”

Perhaps bands like this encourage us to come out of hibernation more often. Dark Mofo as a festival certainly attracts people from the ‘mainland’ and locals alike, but any excuse will do to hear stunning tracks like the soul-shaking There Is No Such Place. Now the festival is nearly over, it's time to put the Ugg boots on and retire by the fire until spring.