Live Review: Temples, Deep Sea Arcade, Tsars

Paul McCartney, Sting and even Lemmy from Motorhead pulled it off, but there aren't many lead singers around these days that play bass as well as fronting up to the mic. Not only does Reginald Harris of the Tsars do both but even more uniquely he plays his bass with a pick. Amidst the shoe-gazing but proving it was all about the music (in a night where the music did the talking), the long-haired, floral shirt-wearing keys player balancing a Hammond keyboard on two bar stools stood out as just one of the frugal austerity measures the band has to endure. Opening for the night's three acts, Tsars were most warmly received by the crowd when they delved into long bouts of instrumental psychedelic rock.

With heavy cymbals crashing and continuing the night's theme – making music to lose yourself to – Deep Sea Arcade's lyrics took a while to kick in. When they did it was obvious Nic McKenzie was interested in creating a stage presence. Their sound was far more melodic and energised, with the aforementioned lead singer hitting high notes and becoming ever more animated as he led the Brisbane five-piece through a respectable set of their upbeat yet dreamy blend of rock, twirling and swinging his microphone cord ever higher as the night progressed. 

Touring on the back of their recent release, Sun Structures, Temples opened with Colours To Life, the English lads establishing themselves in an instant. Sun Structures, their third song, was another well-delivered number, flawlessly executed, sounding like the mystical musical experimentation of Rudi and Spider in the Mighty Boosh episode, The Priest And The Beast. But it was lead singer James Bagshaw who electrified the stage. More often than not the stage was lit in a fiery red hue, reflecting the fire and passion, with the frontman's large frizzy hair boldly catching the light and matching his T-shirt. He proved his musical dexterity playing a keyboard with a guitar slung around his neck, then stepping away to play the guitar and then hitting a tambourine all in the one song, his enthusiasm unquestionable. With an average song length no less than five minutes, Temples had plenty of time to place the packed-out crowd, who loved every minute of it, under their spell. Sounding like a big beautiful blend of Tame Impala and Wolfmother, live they are nothing short of compelling.