Live Review: Savages, A Dead Forest Index

Local duo, A Dead Forest Index, scored themselves one of the prime support slots of the year, yet it appears that they're not quite capitalising on the opportunity. A lacklustre set goes by largely ignored by the crowd, whose chatter all but drowns them out. Not even the addition of a cellist can save them it seems, as this just adds to the mess of noise and aimless vocal meanderings. It would seem that a setting such as tonight's is not the prime atmosphere for appreciating a band of this ilk.

The band everyone is here to see tonight, though, is British four-piece, Savages. Hype is often a death knell to those upon whom it is thrust. Having been the subject of much hype over the last 12 months or so, there is more than a little scepticism, on the part of this scribe if no one else, as to whether or not they are worth all the adulation. While their choice of walk-on music may be rather pretentious, there's no denying that Jehnny Beth, Gemma Thompson, Ayse Hassan and Fay Milton own the stage from the second they walk on until the second they leave. They commence their set with I Am Here and it's immediately clear that the band is more than deserving of all the attention they have garnered. The power and fury unleashed by all four members is quite astonishing. What is even more impressive is that there is no drop in intensity throughout their entire set, which comes in at just over one hour. Part way through the set, Beth announces that they're going to play a cover of a Melbourne band's song. Unsurprisingly, given the ultra-artiness of Savages, it turns out to be a cover of the equally oh-so-arty HTRK's track, Ha. Beth introduces the track by saying that they hope they do it justice, and that's just what they do. While there are many highlights during their set, such as the excellent renditions of Husbands and Shut Up, one cannot forget their closing number, Fuckers. Borne out of a friend's note telling Beth to “not let the fuckers get you down,” it's an epic and fitting closing piece.

They may have left us with no encore, but there can be no complaints, given the quality of the last hour or so from one of the most interesting, unique and talented bands around today.