The Phenomenal Handclap Band and Chairlift gave dreamy performances at The Corner Hotel in Melbourne last week. PHB kicked off the evening with the cosmic 'The Journey To Serra Da Estrela', a vocal-free delight that was all dancing and tambourines on stage. As they worked their way through a bunch of songs from their self-titled album, '15 to 20' was a predictable crowd pleaser but it was 'You'll Disappear' and 'I've Been Born Again' that were real treats to hear live.
Like PHB, Chairlift has that song – the one that everybody knows and loves from some advertisement – and even after the band's sublime performances of ‘Planet Health’ and ‘Ceiling Wax’ the audience shouted for ‘Bruises’. The barefoot and ethereal Caroline Polachek killed it; eventually jumping on the drums and smashing out the last few minutes of an extended version of the song.
WORST: Despite the small-ish crowd's good attitude and bountiful cuteness, they weren't really as razzed as we’d hoped. But it was just one day after the new year began, after all.
BEST: Luke Riverside’s guitar solo. Swooning over Caroline Polachek and Joan Tick and pretty much everybody on stage. Lots of cowbell and tambourines.
ODD: Yes, that really is Solange Knowles in the crowd photos. Beyonce's sister was amongst us.
Photos by Tom Blachford.