Brisbane Festival review: Husky play Tivoli in the Round

Melbourne band Husky were in fine voice for their “Tivoli in the Round” gig at the Brisbane Festival - and even did something they normally wouldn’t do. READ OUR REVIEW

MELBOURNE indie folk-rockers Husky did something they normally wouldn’t do at their “in the round” show at Brisbane’s Tivoli.

They asked the audience to pull out their smartphones and shoot their rendition of their new song Hearse on a Highway Rainbow so they could have a “multicam” record of the performance.

It was the latest Brisbane Festival show to utilise audience participation, and who knows - fans may play a part in some future music video.

Husky play Tivoli in the Round for the Brisbane Festival.

For the live setting, the nucleus of lead vocalist and guitarist Husky Gawenda and keyboardist-vocalist Gideon Preiss were joined on-stage by bassist Jules Pascoe, drummer Holly Thomas and producer-guitarist-keyboardist Matt Redlich, whom they credited with “steering the good ship Husky” of late.

Positioned on a temporary stage in the middle of the Tivoli dancefloor, the band faced inward so each member could be seen by a different section of the audience, and the light effects and moody keyboards enhanced what they call their “dream folk psychedelia”.

The show explored their catalogue in reverse chronological order, starting with songs from their forthcoming album which they’d never performed live before.

Husky play Tivoli in the Round for Brisbane Festival.

“This is a big night for us - first time playing these new tunes and first time in the Tivoli as well,” Gawenda enthused.
“It’s such an amazing space.”

Later Preiss observed: “It seems a bit early in our career to be doing a greatest-hits gig. But maybe we can retire soon and keep coming out of retirement like John Farnham!”

Gawenda said the new songs were all set within a 24-hour period in Melbourne in various bars, parties and beaches, under the influence of various alcohols and stronger substances such as love and heartbreak.

Husky play Tivoli in the Round for the Brisbane Festival.

There was the tempo-changing SYWD (Something You Wouldn’t Do) and Papier Mache Eyes, about the third fight Gawenda ever had in his life (the first two were in primary and high school). Early hit Saint Joan was a crowd favourite.

Given the number of sold-out shows at the Tivoli in and around the Brisbane Festival, it was disappointing to see relatively low numbers turn out for Husky. Despite earlier successes it seems they remain one of Australia’s best-kept secrets.
But what the audience lacked in numbers they made up for in enthusiasm, prompting an impromptu acoustic encore of Bob Dylan’s Tomorrow is a Long Time performed from the balcony.

Rating: 4/5