Live Re Live Reviews
Hiatus Kaiyote, Vulture St Tape Gang, Jaala Woolly Mammoth 23 Aug
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First up, and for something completely different, tonight finds local trio Vulture Street Tape Gang opening proceedings. As the crowd become increasingly eager to get groovin’, they are pleasantly surprised to hear the improvised hip hop tunes of the ‘gang’ spilling through the doors of the Mammoth Mane Stage room. This leads to a plethora of neck jives and surprised expressions, as well as every song being described as a ‘classic’ by singer Lane McHypeman himself. Second on the bill for the
evening are quartet JAALA. Hailing from Melbourne, JAALA showcase their very own brand of what they describe as ‘experimental bedroom punk’, complete with erratic time signatures and prog-rock like transitions. Lead singer Cosima Jaala truly encapsulates her band’s charisma, showing off her dynamic range along with her ability to play her guitar flawlessly. Hiatus Kiayote finally grace the stage, welcomed by an almighty roar from the crowd. The Melbourne outfit open up with the gut-shattering synth sound of Choose Your Weapon. The set soon becomes a flourish of tunes from both albums, including crowd favourites Jekyll and
Mobius Streak. Singer and guitarist, Nai Palm, grabs the attention of fans with her impervious vocal melodies, and is so often without fault during the set. The remaining members, Paul Bender, Simon Mavin and Perrin Moss also exhibit their musical talents, creating sounds and moods that make it almost impossible to stand still. A special mention should also be made to backing vocalists for the evening, who accentuate the band’s soulful vibe throughout the performance. To say the least, it is obvious why Hiatus Kiayote was nominated for a Grammy last year for Best R&B performance. Georgia Corpe
ARTS REVIEWS Arts Reviews
Holding The Man Film In cinemas 27 Aug
★★★½ While attending an all-boys high school in 1970s Melbourne, Tim Conigrave (Ryan Corr) and John Caleo (Craig Stott) fall in love. Holding The Man follows their 15-year relationship, covering hardship and discrimination, jealousy and fidelity, family tension, changing societal attitudes, and death. Director Neil Armfield (Candy) brings searing emotion to this film adaption of Timothy Conigrave’s 1995 memoir. Nothing ever feels overblown,
Holding The Man
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the leading actors understated, letting the story speak for itself. The Australian setting, in all its muted hues, reminds the viewer this all occurred in our recent history - the timing of the film’s release coinciding with the government’s refusal to legalise same-sex marriage, leaving us trailing behind the US. It’s foremost a story of love. The personal, as always, is the political, and it is the intensely personal insight into Conigrave’s lived experiences that makes Holding The Man’s messages all the more powerful, and its conclusion all the more devastating. Stephanie Liew
The Gift
Film In cinemas 27 Aug
★★★★ Making his feature directorial debut, Joel Edgerton shows remarkable assurance behind the camera, generating tension and dread. Edgerton takes the material in unexpected directions, shifting the audience’s perceptions with fluidity and creating something more discomforting and disturbing than the usual psychodrama. Simon (Jason Bateman) and Robyn (Rebecca Hall) have relocated to Los Angeles, near where Simon grew up, to put
The Gift
past traumas behind them. But a chance meeting with the awkward but friendly Gordo (Edgerton), who attended high school with Simon, casts a shadow over their new life. Simon and Gordo have a history, one that Simon claims to barely remember. Gordo remembers, though, and the past comes back to haunt Simon and Robyn. Edgerton’s work in front of the camera is as accomplished as his work behind it - his Gordo is both pitiable and unnerving. And Bateman and Hall are just as good, both actors skilfully revealing the many facets of their characters. Guy Davis