As I entered the Angel Place Recital hall, this being my first time I was greeted with some pretty impressive architecture and some quite chilled out musical vibes. Just there in the background making its presence known, while waiting for Gotye, AKA Wally De Backer and his ultra mini-orchestra to make their way on-stage.
Wally had said in email sent out earlier that day it was a 7pm SHARP start and damn if he didn’t mean it (give or take 10 minutes). Things changed. Gone were the gentle vibes, volume was increased and Gentle Moon by Son Kil Moon started pumping out, and then another track, Alberta Cross’ Ghost Of City Life.
Finally he appeared and he was well worth the wait. Dressed in dark, skinny denim, check button up shirt and vest – he looked very sharp – and opened with “Coming Back”. The set was peppered with a few new tracks, Smoke and Mirrors from the vinyl release of Eyes Wide Open and In Your Eyes. There was little stage banter, quite unlike De Backer’s other band The Basics. However, a brief pause during “Thanks For Your Time” and a phone call to Vodaphone customer service, with some very 90s Ace Of Base on hold music, gave us a glimmer.
Angel Place is a small theatre, capacity is about 1200. Wally and band, Lucas Taranto on bass and drums, and Tim Shiel, who also works under the moniker Faux Pass on MIDI and everything else, filled the space with beautiful sound. Between the 3 of them there was an evident love of performing particularly in the 'drum off' between Wally and Lucas in "Smoke And Mirrors".
Given the setting, it was a much quieter, more subdued Gotye than we’re used to. A duet with the folksy Tash Parker and a cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Seems A Long time Ago, Nancy” was so beautifully done it stunned most of the audience into the kind of silence where you almost forget to applaud.
It didn’t go for nearly long enough, at just over an hour. He made sure to get many favourites in, “The Only Thing I Know”, “Hearts A Mess”, “Learnalilgivinanlovin” and “Eyes Wide Open” which gained a very respectable number 25 in Triple J’s Hottest 100 2010 countdown.
My love for this man and his music is well documented. I know he has a truly beautiful voice, but not until hearing on Thursday night could I fully appreciate it. Wally De Backer is epically fucking talented. To see him move with ease between drum-kit, piano and sample machine inspired in me the most un-musical person to ever pick up a guitar, jealousy.
You should be sorry you missed this. When he tours off the back of his rumoured April release, do not waste time any time before buying tickets. He’s worth all the money and a whole lot more.
I was given a ticket to see this special gig back in January 2011. Published originally at She Will Have Her Way
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