Methyl Ethel, Felivand @ The Gov, Adelaide 7/12/2023
It was a balmy summer night. The rain gently fell as heat leisurely escaped from the scorching cement underfoot. Swarms of alcohol-fuelled people wandered through Hindmarsh, celebrating the festive season, the dawn of the weekend, the return of their favourite comedian or musician. Whatever really.
At the home of live music – The Gov – music was abundant. Dare I say too much?!
Vocalist, producer, and songwriter Felivand performed in the main room in steamy conditions. It was hot, much like her vocals. While many congregated in the beer garden to capture a hint of a cool breeze, they had to contend with the party band playing on the other side of a flimsy fence. The clash of Queen songs against Felivand’s alt-indie pop was a struggle and, in my opinion, a little unfair to the Meanjin/ Brisbane native.
After a recent appearance on triple j’s Like a Version, Felivand offered us a solid yet short set inclusive of songs Not My Way, Butterfly Wings, and Not Your Fault. The twenty-four-year-old took it in her stride. The depth of music from her and the accompanying keyboardist was rich, dreamy, and melancholy. It was a thoroughly enjoyable introduction to the night.
Perth songwriter and producer Methyl Ethel (Jake Webb) has amassed a mammoth back catalogue of hits since his emergence in the industry a decade ago. The aptly titled New & Old Tour ensured audiences were treated to a broad cross-section of said music.
With a keyboardist and two cellists in tow, the current iteration of Methyl Ethel combined electronica with classical. The outcome was spectacular.
Performing two sets, with song requests invited at the point of ticket purchase, we heard it all. Songs from Are You Haunted? (2022) were ample, including crowd-favourite Proof, Castigat Ridendo Mores, and the exceptional Neon Cheap. Those from previous albums were even more plentiful.
We heard L’heure des sorcières, All the Elements, Twilight Drive, Chelyabinsk, Shadowboxing, Ruiner, Hyakki Yakō, Majestic AF, and No. 28, among others. While all were beguiling, Scream Whole was a spectacular introduction to set two. Lagotto Romangnolo reached new heights thanks to the cellos.
Real Tight was a personal highlight with its emotive lightness complemented by a brightened lighting production that was overwhelmingly (and appropriately) dark for the remainder of the performance.
The final three songs were pure bangers. Ubu had everyone dancing and singing in unison. As did Drink Wine. As the band exited stage left, Webb remained and concluded with a haunting rendition of Trip the Mess.
Webb has mastered the art of combining complex, occasionally wistful, themes with intoxicating arrangements. He has designed provocative and danceable songs which came together in an unequalled live show. A man of few words, crowd interaction was minimal. That was okay. Because the music spoke volumes.
After Webb left the stage, and in a true representation of New & Old, I smiled at my eleven-year-old Aus Music-loving child, occasional gig mate, and first-time Methyl Ethel viewer. She proclaimed, “They are so talented!”. Yep, they are.
Live Review By Anita Kertes