When four piece band, Grizzly Bear from Brooklyn appeared on the Sydney Festival 2010 bill, tickets to their shows quickly sold out. It's not surprising really, with the bands thrid studio album 'Veckatmist' receiving raving reviews and overwhelming attention all over the globe. The live shows were held at The City Recital Hall in Angel Place, one of Sydney's hidden treasures for live music and a venue vastly under used for mainstream music acts. This unique acoustically designed auditorium was perfect for this type of event, making the music and the live experience both intense and intimate.
The complexity of this band is truly amazing. With intertwined vocals, four part harmonies, counterpart melodies and various band members (Chris Taylor and Edward Droste in particular) often playing multiple instruments during songs, Grizzly Bear are truly a very rare combination found in a live music setting. Each band member shared the stage equally in a straight line configuration and even drummer Christopher Bear, was set to the front of the stage giving the audience an easy vantage point.
The set mainly focused on the new album 'Veckatmist', opening the show with the thumping track Southern Point followed by the more popular song with the most radio air play - Two Weeks. However, it wasn't until the foursome sang Cheerleader that we really got to hear the beauty and full extent of this band in perfect harmonization. Other tracks from the new record included Ready Able, While You Wait for the Others and the encore acoustic version of All We Ask. Older favourites also made the list with a balance between the previous albums 'Horn of Plenty' and 'Yellow House' featuring Colorado, Knife, On a Neck, On a Split, Lullaby, Service Bell (without Feist) and Deep Blue Sea.
The one thing I'll say about Grizzly Bear is that they are absolutely breathtaking live. Definately a delightful, joyous and unforgettable musical experience that left me with that overwhelming, warm and fuzzy feeling you can't shake for days. This is ultimately what live music is all about!
Thank you Grizzly Bear and thank you to the organiser's of the 2010 Sydney Festival for bringing them out to Australia.
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