Frente! @ The Spiegeltent at The Garden of Unearthly Delights, Adelaide 24/2/2024

Frente! returned to Tarntanya/ Adelaide to continue the thirtieth-anniversary celebrations of their iconic debut album, Marvin the Album. For one night only, they descended upon The Spielgeltent at the Adelaide Fringe for an exclusive, intimate gig.

Stood atop a lofty but small stage akin to a wedding cake topper, Angie Hart and Simon Austin – joined by keyboardist Clio Renner – unassumingly began with Girl. The opening song off Marvin the Album set us on a path of reminiscence of an era long gone but seldom forgotten.

It’s been a minute since Hart and Austin first met at the Punters Club in Fitzroy. But the music of Frente! lived on. Their unorthodox, bold, acoustic-based sound was heard in Most Beautiful and Cuscutlan. Hart’s unique vocal arrangement was the same as thirty years ago. She sounded as good as ever, and it was equally marvellous and endearing.

Labour of Love saw a handful of punters push the uncomfortable chairs to the side and create a makeshift dance floor. They danced while others bopped their heads and sang along to a mash-up of Lonely, Public Enemy’s Night of the Living Baseheads, a Barry White song with a sprinkle of I Was Made for Lovin’ You (Kiss).

Air was a magical delight. Sit on My Hands was a pleasure despite its sombre tone. The seminal Ordinary Angels, one of the ‘hits,’ as Hart and Austin refer to their most-loved songs, stirred the crowd. Even the toddler in the row in front couldn’t help but clap and dance to the enchanting sound.

For a change of pace, there was Horrible. Then, the delectable Bizarre Love Triangle. A song that has remained on heavy rotation for decades for me was a personal show highlight. Not only is it better than the original, but it is even better live. Sorry, not sorry to the New Order purists.

Testimony and Burning Girl followed before crowd favourite and ‘the other hit,’ according to Hart, Accidently Kelly Street. The reaction was as expected. There was much love offered for the Australian classic.

A raucous reception of foot-stomping, cheering, whooping, and clapping prefaced the final two songs of the afternoon – Somethin’ Stupid, a Frank and Nancy Sinatra cover, and Goodbye Goodguy. With the promise that new songs are afoot, the trio left the stage, leaving many hearts full in their wake.

After thirty-five years, Frente! are as dynamic as they were when their musical journey began. The comradery and rapport between Hart and Austin was palpable. On Friday, they demonstrated that ‘life could be so sweet!’

Fringe Review By Anita Kertes