Nothing But Thieves, Moving Stills @ Hindley Street Music Hall, Adelaide 7/5/2024
Seriously elite! Nothing But Thieves returned to Adelaide even bigger, better and bolder than even before with this show going down as one of 2024s finest. Hindley Street Music Hall was absolutely packed early and if you’re not there on time finding premium viewing would have been a challenge. Having released Dead Club City last year, which was repackaged as a deluxe version recently with extra tracks, they have had a massive twelve months and so much so venues have been up-sized to cater for the overwhelming demand in Australia. Adelaide had been sold out well in advance (awesome!) setting the scene for a massive night. The crowd were excitable and the atmosphere was fever pitch.
Described as vegan rockers from New South Wales The Moving Stills were impressive and really relished playing to a huge crowd. Great sound, great songs and they spoke highly of being able to play venues here such as The Crown & Anchor (to which someone yelled out “Save The Cranka” which everyone agreed with). It was admirable that they were bold enough to speak up about violence against women as well. Westside, Volcano and the cover of Ladyhawke’s cover of My Delirium were highlights for me.
Tonight was all about Nothing But Thieves. Having seen them every time they have been in Adelaide they continually push the envelope topping what we had seen previously. This time around was no different. As the lights dimmed it was ABBA’s Gimme Gimme Gimme (A Man After Midnight) blasting through the speakers creating one hell of an entrance for the band to walk out. In a haze of red strobe lights the band emerged to a frenzy of excitement and applause. What a way to open the show than with their big hit single Welcome To The DCC. If you didn’t feel the energy in the lead up, there is no doubt that you definitely would be after this one. The atmosphere was electric carrying through on Is Everybody Going Crazy?
Four albums in now it is abundantly clear that they have an abundance of riches to choose from in constructing a set list. It seemed to be a matter of what songs were going to be left out as they have so many good ones. Adelaide was their last stop on their Australian tour saving their best for last. Tomorrow Is Closed and Broken Machine were incredible and singer Conor Mason has some seriously great vocals and falsettos to enhance these songs. Asking Adelaide fans if they wanted to hear a real love song playing that very song. Adding later that he loves Australia but was sacred of everything that moves having being “attacked” by a magpie. Speaking proudly of their new album which they would be playing a healthy serving of plus plenty of old songs from the other three.
Whilst the interaction was minimal they had the crowd in the palm of their hands from go to woe and there definitely was not a moment of weakness in their set. Each song tapped in to a raft of different emotions. The song Do You Love Me Yet? was a statement of sorts – yep, Adelaide has plenty of love for Nothing But Thieves. The rest of the band had a moment to shine on instrumental Ce n’est Rien / Gods / Number 13. Lover, Please Stay was the poignant moment in the set where we were left in awe of Mason’s vocals. Mason thanked the crowd saying they felt privileged in being able to “dare to suck” by being able to write the songs they want and that the energy tonight was amazing. So many great songs to come with Trip Switch, Futureproof, Impossible and finishing the main set on Pop The Balloon.
Hells bells the encore was next level starting with Oh No :: He Said What? followed by big singles Amsterdam and Overcome to wrap up an awesome show and there was the promise that if we keep supporting the band that they will keep coming back.
Live Review By Rob Lyon