Ball Park Music at the Enmore Theatre 6/7/13 - Live Review

Editors preface:

I also happened to attend this marvellous night, and I actually happened to have taken the pictures accompanying Jacob’s charming lil’ review. I just wanted to second his thoughts, the night was truly magical and I’m sure that every other mentally sound attendee would back him up 100%.

Jacob’s preface; 1. This was quite honestly the best gig I have ever been to – and I mean that most sincerely. 2. I may or may not have waited in line 6 hours prior to the doors actually opening. 3. My friends and I made it our very clear aim to give every act at least one party hat. And finally, 4. I was very nearly not let in to the venue, and I was visibly very stressed – making it a massive relief to find the gig that soon occurred, the closest thing to perfect I have experienced. The day started nice enough, with a few friends and I finding that the train from Cabramatta to Newtown had been renovated and looked quite spiffy. (10 points to Cityrail). After arriving at our destination, we treated ourselves to the glorious food of the Buzzbar café. (I don’t know if plugging is allowed, or even necessary, but I’m going to anyway. Don’t judge please, you weren’t there man, you weren’t there.) Anyway, after finishing off our delicious brunch, we began to walk swiftly down to the beautiful Enmore theatre where we proceeded to endeavor on our draining six-hour wait, with nothing to keep us occupied except whichever horrible Ball Park puns we could come up with. I’m not going to lie, they were all pretty Shithaus. See what I did there? Alas, at 7:06pm, the doors thankfully opened and 100’s or excited teens were ushered inside. I don’t mean to brag, but I totally got front and centre barrier. Okay I do mean to brag. The first support act came in the form of the vibrant Brisbanian, Jeremy Neale. Armed with an assortment of brilliantly simple, yet catchy pop tunes, Neale proceeded to charm the entire audience with a great mix of humour and amazing dance music. His backing band were very tight, and seemed to be thoroughly enjoying themselves, which is always nice to see. Darlin’ one of Jeremy’s singles, featured a guest saxophone solo from a young girl by the name of Rainbow. Like legit. Her name is Rainbow Chan, and she also happens to be a kick-ass Sydneyian musician herself (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gr1iTTc8XZE)

Oh, and did I mention that for his third song Neale sported a particularly classy party hat?

Jacob-1, Enmore-0.

Next to grace the stage were Melbournian band Eagle and the Worm.

First, two things you should know about this band: a) There are a lot of them – seven in total. b) I have legitimately no idea what genre to classify them as. Like none at all. It was hard to tell whether the band had a great mix of genres or overwhelming amount of variety, that kind of takes away from the unity and direction of the music. Still, they gave an incredibly energetic and tight performance as a band with many great moments, especially the semi-a cappella section when their raw 5 part harmonies soared through the Enmore.

Special mention must go to their brass section, which proved to liven up nearly every song, and give them that little bit extra.

Also, during the third song, the lead singer placed a party hat on their keyboard, which fell of almost immediately. I’ll still take that. Jacob-2, Enmore-0. Finally, the moment everyone was waiting for: The bouncing Brisbanites, Ball Park Music, emerged as ABBA’s ‘Thank You For The Music’ blasted throughout the Enmore, beers in hand. Now readers, I mean this in the most literal sense possible, the performance that was about to occur was possibly the greatest thing I have ever witnessed, and perhaps ever will witness.

Opening with their latest single, Bad Taste Blues II, which can be found on their latest studio album ‘Museum’, Ball Park showed the crowd immediately why they are considered one of Australia’s most popular and promising bands.

Their set consisted largely of older songs from their first record ‘Happiness and Surrounding Suburbs’, including songs which I don’t believe they’ve played since much earlier in their career such as a much more vamped up version of ‘Glass Jar’, ‘Birds Down Basements’ and even ‘Sea Strangers’ off their second studio EP, ‘Conquer the Town, Easy as Cake.’

Still, this is not to say that new songs were exempt, with the band smashing out some of their larger songs from ‘Museum’ and even treating the audience to two brand new songs.

(Honestly, if these two songs are anything to go by, their next album is going to be positively incredible). Despite showcasing two new songs, the highlight of their set went not to the band, but a young man by the name of Nick who was invited onto the stage by frontman Sam Cromack, only to propose to his girlfriend. I’m not going to lie, I shed many a tear. I think everyone did. This proposal was then followed by ‘All I Want Is You’ off Ball Park’s first record. Safe to say many more tears were shed. I should also mention that somewhere between the beautiful music and shedding of tears I managed to attract the attention of bassist, Jennifer Boyce, and threw her the remainder of the party hats at my disposal – one for each of the five band members. And yes, they all wore one at some point. Jacob-7, Enmore-0.

Closing their set with a cover of the Beatles’ ‘8 Days A Week’, Ball Park Music once again confirmed why I consider them my favourite Australian band, just as so many others do.

Ball Park, I tip my metaphorical hat to you. x

Review by Jacob Sgouros

Photos by Geneva Walker.

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