The Phoenix Foundation kick off their Give Up Your Dreams tour in Wellington.
The Phoenix Foundation. Photo: Will Moore
Last night The Phoenix Foundation began their Give Up Your Dreams album release tour at San Fran in Wellington. With their Friday night show quickly selling out, the additional date meant that fans in the capital were treated to their live show a fraction earlier than anticipated.
Disasteradio opened the night with a set of bouncy synthpop tunes. His unbounded enthusiasm is contagious and as the room filled, so did the dance floor, with Disasteradio taking part in the bopping himself. DR’s Luke Rowell plays with such infectious energy and life, and despite the venue only slowly filling when he began, the dance floor was well and truly started when he handed over the reigns to The Phoenix Foundation.
In an interview with Radio NZ recently, Luke Buda said he didn't want to make an album that was a slow burner. Launching into ‘Mountain’, with its frantic rhythm section, driving bass line and spangly guitar, the dancing continued. Followed up with ‘Bob Lennon John Dylan’, these two tracks opened with a punch unlike I’d seen from The Phoenix Foundation before. The set propelled along with a joyful ferocity and it was clear the band were happy to be back.
With six of them on stage, Tom Callwood (bass) and Chris O’Connor (drums) stuck to their guns while the other four members switched instruments continually. Keyboards, synths, guitars and bongo drums were all used, and their stage-hand clearly had his work cut out for him.
The band looked secure together on stage, despite the relatively recent addition of O’Connor, who was involved with some of the recording sessions for Fandango. The show almost had the feeling of a test run - a warm up as they stretched out and limbered up for the rest of the tour.
Once they’d rounded out Side A of GUYD, they moved to their previous releases with crowd pleasing favourites like ‘Buffalo’, ‘Bright Grey’ and ‘Supernatural’ all getting airtime alongside ‘Let Me Die a Woman’ and ‘Going Fishing’ from their debut Horse Power.
While it’s generally agreed that sports and politics shouldn’t mix, music offers a great platform for sharing a message. And with such affable frontmen, politics wasn’t shied away from. Buda stated he really hopes “the National Party win the World Cup” and Scott quizzically asked “How about those flags?” before pointing to the GUYD flags draped over the amps on stage.
The audience was advised “Tonight we invite you to think about what you haven’t achieved… and then… don’t worry about it”.
Wrapping up the set, The Phoenix Foundation played Side B of their new album in its entirety, with the title track reflecting on the aspirational life society is expected to adhere to.
While the lyrics could be read negatively, seeing the band rocking out and the audience soaking it up, it was hard not to leave San Fran with a sense that being comfortable with who you are and where you’re at is the highest of achievements.
The Phoenix Foundation seemed to be happy and at ease with their lot. Maybe they’re on to something.
Find tickets to The Phoenix Foundation's GUYD tour here.