Live Review: Dead Letter Circus, Strangers

Usually an "obnoxiously loud rock'n'roll band" (as they are labelled by frontman Ben Britton), it's hard to conceive of the fact that Strangers are only a few dates into their first-ever acoustic tour. It sounds like they have performed dozens of such tours and the cocky confidence that exudes from this band is still there, if understandably a little subdued in this setting. Stripped back to an acoustic guitar, a very basic three-piece drum kit played with brushes and bundle sticks, and an electric bass, the vocals have nowhere to hide and shine beautifully. The two- and three-way vocal harmonies are dead-on the money and as sweet as honey. The band's great rock songs reach a new dimension in this quieter context. Strangers' 40-minute 'unplugged' opening set is a delight and the packed-out Max Watt's crowd is more than ready for some Dead Letter Circus action.

Since unleashing their all-time classic debut self-titled EP ten years ago (is it really a decade since that came out?), Dead Letter Circus have evolved and developed from a good, solid live band into one of the most riveting, and loudest, live rock bands in the nation. So to see them switch back a gear and celebrate the EP's anniversary with acoustic guitars, piano (played by guest Leigh Davies, who is just one of Aussie music's best-kept secrets), a string duet and specially programmed electronic drums — and reimagine those stunning six tracks and a whole bunch of other tunes from their illustrious back catalogue — is a joy to behold. And reimagined they are. This band is not content with simply doing quieter versions of their existing tunes, some have been completely rewritten. For example, the usually frantic, frenetic, hyperactive rock beast that is The Mile almost becomes a country song. Arguably their boppiest, poppiest, happiest-ever track While You Wait is laced with melancholy when done in this way. And, even more surprisingly, Are We Closer goes full reggae! It's the sign of a great band when their songs still work a treat when stripped back to the bare bones and when they are given diametrically different treatments.

Speaking of real treats, Dead Letter Circus save the very best 'til last, when they call none other than Karnivool and Birds Of Tokyo legend Ian Kenny out onto the stage for a truly triumphant rendition of Farnesy's You're The Voice. This sends the already rampantly enthusiastic crowd into hysterics and the singalong rises like never before, with the band's fans in surprisingly good voice. This is just one of the great moments in Australian rock and one that the 900-odd people in attendance will remember for a long, long time.

With Dead Letter Circus set to happily return to raucousness on their next album and number of tours, this show is a wondrous moment to savour.