The Temper Trap / The Preatures
Kings Park
Tuesday, November 29, 2016
“When you hurt me, you hurt yourself!” shouted Shirley Manson, near the end of the night, referencing Beyonce’s Lemonade. Perhaps fittingly, as apart from Queen B, it’s hard to think of many other frontwomen as outspoken, or with as much attitude and charisma as Manson. And she proved, after all these years, she’s still got it in spades as she commanded the attention of the crowd through Garbage’s 20 year career spanning set.
There’s been an incredible amount of classic 90s bands in town of late, and A Day on the Green has been making the most of it, with a solid season this year, hosting some great concerts in the beautiful surrounds of Kings Park as it rolls into summer. Tuesday saw one of the best lineups grace the stage with a trifecta of talent, spearheaded by US 90’s alternative legends Garbage. While in support were two shining stars of the current Australian music scene.
First up were Sydney’s The Preatures – and speaking of commanding frontwomen, Izzi Manfredi, is a another great example – the singer is undoubtedly the focal point of the group, who are readjusting their dynamic after the departure earlier this year of guitarist/vocalist Gideon Bensen. Manfredi isn’t afraid to wear her influences on her sleeve, one of whom is Manson. The band were stoked to support and warmed up the crowd nicely with a selection from their increasing repertoire, impressing those who made it down early while the sun was still out.
Melbourne’s The Temper Trap took the stage as the light faded and let loose with their warm, melodic sounds ringing out across the natural amphitheatre. With their third album just out in June, they were a big drawcard as a support – it was their first time playing these songs live for us, and the band seemed to enjoy the chance to be progressing their set list.
The title track Thick As Thieves is a stomping little number, while stronger single Fall Together is a great festival ready, rousing singalong. Their early cuts still sound great though too – the epic finale of Soldier On is still a special moment, though mired slightly by the mix. Dougy Mandagi has really come into his own as a front man, appearing somewhat shaman-like with his long locks and unique wavering falsetto, striking a Jesus Christ pose in his white outfit
Swapping his guitar for keyboard, Mandagi showed his versatility on What If Im Wrong, a floaty, synthy new track, with a soaring climax, and the euphoric Summer’s Almost Gone, while Alive saw Mandagi break out some maracas. The new songs certainly sound resplendent and polished, though a bit more roughness around the edges wouldn’t hurt.
While they must at times feel they can’t escape it – when you have a song as brilliant and anthemic as Sweet Disposition why would you not play it last. The second the intro started, the crowd’s response was tenfold to anything else so far, jumping to their feet and punching the sky as Mandagi commanded “Get off your asses Perth!” and the chorus kicked in.
Now well and truly primed, after a quick dash to the bar or bathroom, the crowd were ready. And Garbage were here to give them what they wanted. Bursting onstage in front of a big backdrop, bathed in pink light with Supervixen – the opening track from their ’95 debut still sounding fresh – immediately the atmosphere was lifted with their trademark dense, tightly produced, fuzz distortion sound, and prowling the stage with her pink mop, Manson was the cherry on top.
She breezed through I Think I’m Paranoid and Stupid Girl, stopping to take the piss out of the crowd in that playful Scottish way for their lack of enthusiasm, commenting “We’ve flown 30 hours to be here! And it could be the last time. We’re getting old.” While it’s a beautiful venue, the setup at Kings Park can sometimes make it hard to generate a real rock gig atmosphere, but in the capable hands of Manson, she soon had things in order, with many rising to their feet.
They were known as a bit of a super-group when they came out, due in large part to drummer Butch Vig, producer of such little albums as Nevermind and Siamese Dream. Vig was notably absent however, due to recently undergoing surgery, though is apparently recovering fine.
Such health concerns are not surprising given the age of the guys hovers around the 60 mark. Guitarist Duke Erikson still cuts a cool figure on guitar, while Steve Marker was more sedate on the left swapping between keys and guitar. 90s trainspotters may have noticed hiding in the smoke at the back, keeping things locked down, Eric Avery of Jane’s Addiction fame on bass.
Manson also gave a shout out to The Preatures, and how they voted for them to win a band comp a few years ago, and that it was great to see them going well. She also mentioned, how labelmates The Temper Trap have worked with many of the same people integral in their career over the years.
The set was well paced – taking things down a notch, The Trick Is To Keep Breathing, a more emotional ballady track from ‘98’s Version 2.0 album – was dedicated to anyone going through a hard time, “In the words of my mother – you just gotta get back up out your bed.”
Ironically during this, one of the softest songs, someone sitting up the front was complaining about the noise. Instead of mocking her, motherly Manson found her some ear plugs and warned of the importance of protecting your hearing. After ups and downs and breakups, the tour is of course in support of the band’s sixth album Strange Little Birds, and singles Empty and Magnetized are classic Garbage and sound right at home in the middle of the set.
While the songs and production are great, Manson really is the X-factor that gives them their edge. A natural rockstar, she’s got all the moves and knows how to use them. While she’s now 50, she still has attitude and charisma to burn, a dynamo on stage, it’s impossible to take your eyes off her, as she whirled about in a short black, stringy dress with fishnets, crouching menacingly, or leaning against her leopard print mic, grasping it with both hands.
Why Do You Love Me saw Manson singing “I’m not your barbie doll… I am not as pretty as those girls in magazines” which led into her talking about inequality, the expectations on women in this age of social media, and how she’d been reading Aussie feminist Clementine Ford’s book Fight Like A Girl and dedicated the next song to her, Bleed Like Me. She’s a great talker and managed to engage the crowd and make some good points without sounding preachy.
They charged to the finish with Cherry Lips (Go Baby Go) and the awesome Vow, which led to Manson’s afore mentioned nod to Beyonce, repeating “Dont hurt yourself” over and over with increasing intensity until she screamed “Don’t fucking hurt yourself!” before walking off stage.
She’s certainly not one to be shy or afraid of being outspoken, and neither were the adoring crowd, “We fucking love you Shirley!” shouted a broad Scottish voice as they returned to stage for a huge encore of Only Happy When It Rains and Push It, ending the night on a triumphant high. A lesson in showwomanship, and a great performance from a band that can certainly teach a lot of bands these days a thing or two.
Words and Photos by ALFRED GORMAN
