Pond @ Astor Theatre
w/ Adrian Dzvuke, Leopard Lake
Sunday, March 3, 2019
Pond returned home for a triumphant show at Astor Theatre on Sunday, to a small but enthusiastic crowd that enjoyed both the new tracks from their just released eighth album Tasmania as well as older classics.
Leopard Lake opened up the stage with their laidback tunes that eased the crowd into what would be a night full of dancing. They played recent release Heart of Yours as well as many other favourites. Next to take to the stage was Adrian Dzvuke who’s unique RnB was a weird choice for the support slot, but got the crowd dancing despite this. He got everyone clapping and singing along, and even got one cooked guy dancing like his life depended on it.
Pond opened up with the live debut of Daisy, one of the lead singles from Tasmania and followed it up with another recent single, Sixteen Days. Singer Nick Allbrook looked super comfortable on stage, and his presence and dancing were incredible. The band then launched into tracks from The Weather including personal favourite, Sweep Me Off My Feet.
They returned to their latest album for Hand Mouth Dancer, which was by far the best live track from Tasmania. They followed this up with Burnt Out Star and the title track. The new songs were surprisingly hits among fans. Considering the album only came out a few days before the show, audience members were already singing along to every word.
The crowd went mental when the band launched into Giant Tortoise which was followed by other older tracks, Paint Me Silver and Man It Feels Like Space Again before the band left the stage, saying goodnight.
It wasn’t long before they re-appeared, as the floor shook with the cries of “encore” and “one more song”. Shiny Joe Ryan took over vocals for the first track of the encore, and despite a small stuff up at the start, did a great job. Nick then once again took over for show closer, the massive 30000 Megatons.
Overall it was a great show, and the band were, as always, magical under the lights, producing their incredible sounds live. Everyone in the Astor was dancing, and the sound in the venue was amazing, and did the band justice. Allbrook blossomed like a daisy in the spotlight, and was an incredible frontman.
It would have been nice to hear more tracks from earlier albums, especially Man It Feels Like Space Again. Waiting Around For Grace would have gone down nicely in the ambient Astor with such an enthusiastic crowd, but all the new tracks from Tasmania were a treat live.
KIERRA POLLOCK
Photos by Adrian Thomson
