Everything Everything, The Vaccines, The Tullamarines @ The Gov, Adelaide 6/5/2024
It might of been a Monday night but that didn’t stop a huge crowd heading to the home of live music seeing UK indie rockers Everything Everything and The Vaccines band together for a stellar co-headline tour with support from Adelaide band The Tullamarines. It was definitely one of those tours not to have turned up late as you might miss one of the headliners.
Adelaide band The Tullamarines were up first and got things off to a flying start. There is plenty to like about this band who seem to get better and better each time I see them play. No doubt they would have picked up a few fans after their whirlwind set that was loaded with singles Never Do That, Head Roll Back, I’m So and new tunes Loser and Out Loud.
The crowd had built up considerably leading up to The Vaccines taking the stage at the very early time of 8.15pm. Awesome walk on music with Wings Live and Let Die and with a sense of urgency the band ploughed through Love To Walk Away. Right from the get go the energy and intensity they brought to their performance had all the hallmarks of something that would be memorable. Hit single Wreckin’ Bar (Ra Ra Ra) was awesome and it really is hard to believe that they were last here in Adelaide all the way back in 2012 for the Big Day Out. Their great songs kept coming I Can’t Quit and Post Break Up Sex. Even lead singer Justin Hayward-Young said this one was just a little baby last time they were here.
Wetsuit and Your Love Is My Favourite Band were awesome but the spotlight was very much on new album Pick-Up Full Of Pink Carnations with Hayward-Young saying they were playing some new songs and not to go to the bar. Discount de Kooning (Last One Standing) and Sometimes, I Swear will no doubt be set staples in time. Back to familiar territory with Headphones Baby and Jump Off The Baby with the band thanking taking a moment to reflect that even though they were a long way from home that they felt at home. Also adding that he didn’t understand the heckling but he liked it. The Vaccines are an absolute powerhouse and it isn’t until they play live where they line up all these great songs up that you can fully appreciate them finishing with some absolute gold in Heartbreak Kid, Teenage Icon, I Always Knew, If You Wanna and anthemic All My Friends Are Falling In Love.
Everything Everything headlined at The Gov and to be honest they have been one of those bands that had slipped my radar until now. Don’t know why but that said their set was faultless sounding super tight and pulling out all stops in their hour of power. I don’t ever recall Everything Everything having played in Adelaide, so it was great Adelaidians fans had their chance to get their fix in the intimate surrounds of The Gov. The pairing of these two bands worked really well I thought offering plenty of contrast to keep the night exciting. Setting the tone early with Wild Guess from new album Mountainhead it was hard not be impressed. Described as art rock with an eclectic sound and complex, avant-garde-inspired lyrics that connects on a deeper level.
With a quick “Hello Adelaide” from lead singer Johnathan Higgs they let their music do all the talking with another newie in The End Of The Contender. Their fans hung off every note singing word for word as their band took them on a journey through their back catalogue including the likes of Arch Enemy, Pizza Boy and Kemosabe. Higgs said “you guys are a lot better than Perth” referring to vibe that was transcending the room. Like a well woven tapestry everything in this production was well considered and put together from the set list to the lighting and other effects. Reaching back deep in to the discography the likes of Cough Cough, Photoshop Handsome and Distant Past proved popular with the fans. With a quick happy birthday to drummer Michael Spearman it was an epic finish to their set with Cold Reactor, Spring / Sun / Winter / Dread and leaving us on No Reptiles. It was definitely an awesome way to spend a Monday night.
Live Review By Rob Lyon